Another week and another set of winners and losers.
Although the road to the last Saturday in September has narrowed ever so slightly, each of the competition's 18 teams still hold their destinies in their own hands.
Whether your side is undefeated, breaking even or without a win to start 2021, there are questions, both new and historic, that must be answered to secure a win this long weekend.
Essendon
Who does Rutten bring in?
Following Ben Rutten's half-time address in Round 1, Essendon's season has gone from Disneyland to disaster.
Although thoroughly outmatched in their week two clash against ladder leaders Port Adelaide, everything that could have gone wrong did in the city of churches with the scoreboard only beaten for hideousness by the Dons' injury report.
Season interrupting wounds to Dylan Shiel, Jye Caldwell and Sam Draper seriously inhibit the Bombers' ability to both with the ball at stoppages and convert further up the ground โ something they have struggled with already.
Although the pair of former Giants will prove tough to replace in the engine room, finding Draper's understudy is likely to be giving Rutten the most trouble.
Essendon have already confirmed that Andrew Phillips will be unavailable this week and with Shaun McKernan no longer at Tullamarine, but instead in the camp on their opponents, โTruck' may need to blood a debutant at the first centre bounce.
Earlier this week, the club suggested that due to a dearth of tall timber, 19-year-old Nick Bryan is likely to face the Saints, with Peter Wright available to pinch hit when necessary.
Essendon: "Peter Wright has been our second ruck so far.. we'd also be looking at Nick Bryan potentially over that period of 8 weeks that Sam (Draper) is out to give him the opportunity potentially to make his debut"
GM of Football Josh Mahoney via @SportsdayRadio #AFL pic.twitter.com/ikmnMNUDIR
— aflratings.com.au (@aflratings) March 29, 2021
Prospective debutant Archie Perkins' name has also been added to the mix, as have those of Jake Stringer and Matt Guelfi.
Bombers fans will be hopeful these reinjections and commencements of careers will be enough to spur their side into action, but should another hefty loss be posted on Saturday evening, far more air is likely to depart from beneath their wings.
Should an 0-3 start to 2021 eventuate, it is imperative that Essendon's legion of members and supporters adjust their collective mindset โ if they haven't already.
Bomber folks and others lynching Rutten need to understand a) heโs coached two games in 2021 and b) it took Hardwick and Bomber Thompson eight years to build a team and win a flag. Lots of pain in those years for Tigers and Cats fans. Itโs a long hard road. @AFL @essendonfc
— Justin Robertson (@justinjourno) March 29, 2021
With so much talent sidelined, and the need for development obvious, this is the โperfect' week for those that don the sash and their club's selection committee to embrace the future.
