The Cats will do battle with Essendon in the annual Country Game this Saturday, here is a deeper dive into how the Bombers are travelling in 2024.  

Ladder  

Essendon: 3rd (9-4-1)  
 
Geelong: 7th (8-6) 

Points For 

Essendon – 1203  
 
Geelong - 1284

Points Against 

Essendon - 1171 
 
Geelong - 1248

The Damaging Disposal Winners

Essendon has shown a desire to control the football in 2024, recording the most disposals of any team in the competition.
  
Averaging 378 disposals per game, the Bombers rely on their uncontested possessions as they sit third in the AFL in that category.  
 
The key drivers of Essendon’s game are Nic Martin off half-back and Zach Merrett in the midfield, who rank fifth and seventh respectively for total disposals across the competition.   

Nic Martin is the Bombers primary ball mover off half back, being fed plenty of the footy as the designated kicker, averaging over 29 disposals per game. 
 
Sam Durham has also gone to another level in 2024 playing through the midfield, with nearly 50% of his total disposals being contested while also sitting in the top three at Essendon for clearances and tackles.  

The Forward Threats

Essendon primarily rely on a pair of dangerous targets up forward, with Kyle Langford and Jake Stringer leading the way in front of goal.  
Langford currently sits seventh in the Coleman Medal with 30 goals for the year, having booted three goals or more on seven different occasions this season.  
 
Stringer sits just one spot behind Langford in the Coleman Medal with 29 majors of his own, having hit the scoreboard in 13 of his 14 games this season, booting five in last week’s win over West Coast.  
 
Both players also rank in the top 10 across the competition for marks inside 50, providing a dangerous threat when the Bombers get the game on their terms.  

How the Games Play Out

Despite sitting in third position, the Bombers have the lowest percentage of any team in the top seven on the ladder while also losing two of their past three games.  
 
Essendon have won four of their games by 12 points or less, while also recording a draw against Collingwood.  
 
They have also proven to be a low scoring team, only exceeding 100 points or more in two of their past 12 matches.