We were very good the day we played the Bombers last year. I think our win on top of their debacle against the Eagles spelled the end for Matthew Knights.

A few of the players who took part in this game will not be there due to injury and, in the cases of Cam Bruce Kyle Cheney and Paul Johnson, leaving to go elsewhere (none are playing for Hawthorn anyway) but if you put the players available back in their positions and add in a few players who have been doing well this year, I think we might just still be able to put together a squad that can beat them.

MELBOURNE

Backs Jamie Bennell Jared Rivers Clint Bartram

Half backs Colin Garland James Frawley Tom Scully

Centreline Nathan Jones Jack Trengove Brad Green

Half forwards Lynden Dunn Jack Watts Cameron Bruce

Forwards Colin Sylvia Matthew Bate Jordie McKenzie

Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Aaron Davey

Interchange Kyle Cheney Paul Johnson Liam Jurrah Joel Macdonald

Emergencies Rohan Bail Neville Jetta Addam Maric

In Paul Johnson Liam Jurrah Colin Sylvia

Out Jack Grimes (hamstring) Neville Jetta (omitted) Jake Spencer (back)

ESSENDON

Backs Andrew Welsh Cale Hooker Heath Hocking

Half backs Mark McVeigh Michael Hurley Kyle Reimers

Centreline Leroy Jetta Jobe Watson Courtenay Dempsey

Half forwards Brent Stanton Scott Gumbleton Angus Monfries

Forwards Alwyn Davey Jay Neagle David Zaharakis

Followers Patrick Ryder Jason Winderlich Ben Howlett

Interchange Tom Bellchambers Travis Colyer Ricky Dyson Nathan Lovett-Murray

Emergencies Sam Lonergan Jake Melsham Brent Prismall

In Travis Colyer Courtenay Dempsey Ricky Dyson Ben Howlett Angus Monfries Jay Neagle

Out Sam Lonergan Jake Melsham Brent Prismall Michael Quinn (all omitted) Henry Slattery (ribs) Tyson Slattery (omitted)

Wow, we made 6 changes for that game. Ordinary stuff.

I dont like looking back on the Knights era, but my memories of that game is Essendon kicking poorly in the first 3 quarters, but getting some late goals when the game was over to add some "respectability" to the scoreline, and Melbourne getting what seemed to be countless 50m penalties [possibly only 4 or 5 to be honest].

All in all the Demons smashed us that day, but the final margin wasn't a true indicator of Melbournes dominance.

Are you a Melbourne or Essendon supported ash?

It'll be a pretty different side for us:

- Jamar (inj.)

- Davey (inj.)

- Garland (inj.)

- Bartram (inj.)

- Bruce (gone)

- PJ (gone)

- Cheney (gone)

- Dunn? (omit?)

Are you a Melbourne or Essendon supported ash?

Essendon.