Gralin
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Melbourne Forecast
Partly cloudy. Medium (40%) chance of showers. Patchy morning fog about the nearby hills. Light winds becoming south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening.
Last time they met: MCG, round nine, 2018: Essendon 12.12 (84) defeated Geelong 7.8 (50)
The Bombers entered the contest in terrible form and surprised the Cats, with coach Chris Scott admitting afterwards the club had a "very bad day". Shaun McKernan starred in a blistering opening term while Zach Merrett and Cale Hooker impressed.
What it means for Geelong: Maintaining breathing room on top of the ladder. The Cats enter round seven a game ahead of second-placed Fremantle and keeping that buffer will help in their aim for a top-four finish.
What it means for Essendon: Another chance to establish legitimacy. While John Worsfold's men won admirers for fighting back against heavyweights Collingwood on Anzac Day, it's hard to shake the memory of their deplorable opening fortnight. Beating Geelong would help rectify that.
How Geelong wins: Keep up the manic forward pressure, led by recruits Gary Rohan and Luke Dahlhaus, and stop Essendon's fleet of rebounding backmen from starting those electric chains of ball movement.
How Essendon wins: Going up against a powerful midfield unit that is No.1 in the competition for contested possession differential, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett will have to be at their best.
The stat: This clash features first and second on the list of most inside 50s this season. Patrick Dangerfield has 43 through his six games, while Shiel is on 40.
The match-up: Gary Ablett v Adam Saad
Possessing pace to burn, Saad, ranked No.102 in the AFL Player Ratings, can defend well and potentially hurt Ablett going the other way, although that tactic didn't work for Hawthorn when it sent Jack Gunston to the dual Brownlow medallist on Easter Monday. Ablett is No.49 in the Player Ratings.
Could Adam Saad quell Gary Ablett's influence? Picture: AFL Photos
It's a big week for: Mark Blicavs
Coming up against such a dangerous opposition, with Joe Daniher and Jake Stringer surrounded by Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, the in-form defender will need to be on guard to keep a tight rein on the Bombers.
Big call: A surprisingly wide-open match, with the ball bouncing around at a rapid pace and both sides cracking the ton.
Prediction: Essendon by 13 points
Source: AFL Website
