TV: Seven Network, Fox Sports
Sportingbet says: North Melbourne $1.65 Essendon $2.25
Why watch?
Everyone's tipping North to be the season's big improvers. Essendon start life after James Hird and ASADA - they hope.
Match notes
- Former Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson takes charge of the Bombers after James Hird's suspension
- North Melbourne's Nick Dal Santo set to make his club debut after off-season move from St Kilda
- Bombers defender Dustin Fletcher would play his 379th AFL match if selected, and break the club’s all-time games record
- Essendon midfielder Jake Melksham suspended until Round 3
Say what?
"We have trained differently and if they really grasp the game plan, it is actually a game plan that can save energy," Bombers coach Mark Thompson tells Fox Sports News how he hopes his team can extend their usual good early form all season long.
Key injuries
Andrew Swallow - North - Achilles
Tom Bellchambers - Ess - ankle
Michael Hibberd - Ess - hamstring. Expected to play
Last 5 games (includes 2013 season)
North Melbourne
W 10 Geelong
L 9 Adelaide
W 45 Essendon
L 14 Hawthorn
W 11 Collingwood
Essendon
L 79 Collingwood
L 53 West Coast
L 45 North Melbourne
W 6 Carlton
L 39 Richmond
Last 5 between clubs
Ess-North-Ess-North-North
Fantasy factoid
Before he has even played an AFL match, North's Luke McDonald is becoming a fantasy team staple. In season-long games, his dual position status (defender/midfielder) and cheap price is enticing.
Cold hard fact
Essendon have not won an AFL final in 10 years. Their last win was in 2004, against Melbourne in an elimination final.