SENIORS
Where and when: MCG, Saturday 25 April, 2.20pm
Head to head: Essendon 117, Collingwood 97, Draws four
Last time: Essendon 19.14 (128) d Collingwood 11.14 (80), round 17, 2008, at the MCG

MISSING IN ACTION
Collingwood:
Johnny Bennell (ankle) – available
John McCarthy (hamstring) – 1 week
Heath Shaw (hamstring) – 1 week
Sean Rusling (shoulder) – 2-4 weeks
Ben Johnson (broken leg) – 4-5 weeks
Nick Maxwell (suspension) – 1 week

SUMMARY
The Magpies have not exactly been a model of consistency so far in 2009. A four-point loss to Adelaide in the opening round was a disappointing way to start the season, but the Pies recovered to belt Melbourne a week later. They then failed to take their chances and paid the price against the Cats, before travelling north and achieving a stirring 17-point win over the Brisbane Lions. While Anthony Rocca struggled in his return from injury, the Pies seem to have a real find in young father-son acquisition Jaxson Barham. The first-gamer had 28 touches against Luke Power and won the round four NAB Rising Star nomination for his efforts. Paul Medhurst, last year’s Anzac Day Medallist, has also improved each week.

Essendon’s clash with North Melbourne in round four wasn’t pretty. And it could be said the Bombers’ disposal at times – just a week after one of their best wins in recent years – was downright awful. That said they’ll be keen to make amends. And, like the Magpies, they’ve had a habit of finding something in this clash in the past. But it’s not as if Essendon is travelling too poorly in 2009. With a 2-2 record and some big names either yet to return or hit top form, there’s a lot to like about Matthew Knights’ young list. If they can replicate the intensity shown against Carlton a fortnight ago, they’ll be tough to hold out.

QUESTION MARKS
What will the Collingwood forward line, with its stars under injury clouds, look like on Saturday? More particularly, will it be functioning at full capacity?

Matthew Lloyd, who has 899 career goals, has booted 36 majors in Anzac Day matches against Collingwood. His likely opponent is Magpie 200-gamer Simon Prestigiacomo. Can ‘Presti stop the Bomber from reaching the milestone this week?

Whether it be Mark McGough’s dominant performance in the wet (2002) or Dale Thomas taking a speccy (2006), each year one young Magpie seems to revel on the big stage. Which Collingwood player will make his mark in 2009?

FROM THE COACH
“We’re very privileged for a start to be playing on this day … it’s not all about us. It’s about the people who have represented Australia in the armed forces and parents of and siblings of that have been exposed to those horrendous moments in any of the wars.

"And it’s most important that our player group and those that are associated with the football club, in particular the football department, acknowledge the fact that we have a small part to play and it is a part that we must uphold.”

VFL
Where and when: Bendigo Bombers v Collingwood, Sunday April 26, Queen Elizabeth Oval, 2pm

B: Anthony Corrie, Tobias Thoolen, Jarrod Blight
HB: Scott Reed, Ben Reid, Tristan Francis
C: Kevin Dyas, Damian Peverill, Sharrod Wellingham
HF: Danny Stanley, Chris Dawes, Ryan Cook
F: Brad Dick, Chris Bryan, Brent Macaffer
Foll: Cameron Wood, Steele Sidebottom, Jarryd Blair
I/C (from): Tim Hunt, Jamie Sheahan, Daniel Frost, Lachlan Keefe, Brett Mahoney, Johnny Bennell, Luke Rounds, Ryan Colbert