Where and when: MCG, Friday, March 26, 7.40pm
Head to head: Geelong 89 wins, Essendon 112 wins, five draws
Last time: Geelong 20.14 (134) d Essendon 11.4 (70), round 10, 2009 at Etihad Stadium

MISSING IN ACTION
Geelong
Mitch Brown (leg) - 5-7 weeks
Joel Corey (knee) - test
Tom Gillies (groin) - 1-2 weeks
Daniel Menzel (groin) - 2-3 weeks
Max Rooke (knee tendonitis) - 1-2 weeks
Mathew Stokes (club suspension) - 7 weeks
Travis Varcoe (thumb) - 6-8 weeks

Essendon
Michael Hurley (club suspension) - 3 weeks
Leroy Jetta (dislocated thumb) - 4-6 weeks
Nathan Lovett-Murray (suspension) - 2 weeks
Mark McVeigh (suspension) - 1 week
Tyson Slattery (wrist) - test

SUMMARY

It's hard to read into pre-season form, given how much teams rest and rotate players through the summer in order to have them ready for round one.

 

Geelong has flown right under the radar during the break, but Bomber Thompson won't mind that at all. His side's NAB Cup/Challenge efforts weren't terrific, although a third-quarter burst against Fremantle in week four was a reminder of just how potent his team can be.

Come Friday night, the Cats will be back on familiar turf. The last time they were out on the 'G they were doing a victory lap, so the big occasion of round one won't bother them.

Essendon gets to play in its share of blockbusters but has a greater number of fresh faces. Matthew Knights hopes his young, promising list - whose pre-season form was up-and-down - can take the next step this season. While the coach's run-and-gun style of play served them well at times last year, they were found wanting on occasions - such as when they came up against the hardened bodies of the Cats in round 10.

PLAYER TO WATCH
There's nothing to suggest Gary Ablett won't pick up where he left off last season, but how will he handle the constant speculation about his future? Is it affecting the mood in the Cats' changeroom? The club says the side's focus is the Bombers and the rest of the 2010 season. One game won't give us the answer, but it might offer a hint.

Matthew Lloyd believes Scott Gumbleton could one day play in a similar vein to Nick Riewoldt, so he must have some ability. The AFL world has been waiting more than three years to see exactly what the former No.2 draft pick can provide, but time after time injury has cut him down, limiting him to just five career matches. Gumbleton's had a solid summer and if he can stay on the park, it should be exciting to see the key forward in action.

QUESTION MARKS
Essendon coach Matthew Knights is urging his troops to muscle-up against the Cats after they were monstered by them last year. But will one more summer in the gym be enough for the Dons as they try to outgun the reigning premier?

Geelong has publicly stated it might start 2010 a little slower than past years. Can a Bombers side that has enjoyed a longer, solid pre-season catch the Cats napping?

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
As is the case with any season opener, the skills won't be precise but the running will be frenetic. The young Bombers are should be able to keep pace with the Cats for longer. But in the end, there's no substitute for experience and simply knowing how to get the job done.

On almost every line you look, the Cats seem to have a class edge. Expect a brave show from the Dons but the champs should still be good enough to kick off their season in style.

PREDICTION
Geelong by 16 points

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.