It was another tough week off the field for the Bombers.

Further reports regarding ASADA investigations continue to dog the club and whilst the playing roster have been able to ignore the drama and post some terrific performances on the fields this year, it did look last week that turmoil at Windy Hill was starting to take it’s toll.

The Bombers were wiped off the park by Collingwood last week 133 – 54. It was Essendon second heavy loss in as many weeks and whilst they were against teams inside the final eight, they’ll need to find significant improvement here.

West Coast were made to fight hard against the Suns last week and recorded a much needed win, their first in four weeks.

Further good news comes for the Eagles with the possible return of several big name players from West Coast’s well populated injury bench.

When the two sides last met in round 14 this year, it was an enthralling clash with the Bombers winning by 7.

Expect Essendon to be victorious here, the players have worked too hard all year to let their season’s efforts slip away this late in the season however, would not be rushing in to take the $1.37 about them given the day-to-day drama at the club.

Odds comparison by AFL Odds:

Essendon Bombers	1.37	1.33	1.33	1.33	1.37	1.36
West Coast Eagles	3.10	3.30	3.30	3.30	3.10	3.07

Teams:

Essendon Bombers:
B: M.Baguley J.Carlisle M.Hibberd
HB: T.Pears C.Hooker D.Fletcher
C: J.Winderlich J.Watson D.Heppell
HF: A.Davey S.Gumbleton N.Kommer
F: B.Stanton P.Ryder J.Melksham
FOLL: T.Bellchambers H.Hocking K.Hardingham
I/C: D.Hille D.Myers B.Howlett D.Zaharakis L.Jetta T.Colyer B.Goddard
IN: Tayte Pears, Alwyn Davey, David Hille, Ben Howlett, Jason Winderlich
OUT: Courtenay Dempsey  (Hamstring) , Cory Dell’Olio  (Omitted)

West Coast Eagles:
B: M.Brown D.Glass B.Wilson
HB: S.Butler E.Mackenzie As.Smith
C: A.Gaff S.Wellingham B.Dalziell
HF: J.Cripps JJ.Kennedy J.Hill
F: W.Schofield S.Lycett J.Darling
FOLL: D.Cox S.Selwood B.Sheppard
I/C: A.Embley A.Hams M.Hutchings C.Masten M.LeCras P.McGinnity M.Priddis
IN: Patrick McGinnity, Mark LeCras, Chris Masten, Matt Priddis
OUT: Adam Carter (rested)