Dons may be benchmarks

AS WITH everything that has occurred at Windy Hill in the past six months, Sunday's punishment of the Western Bulldogs was viewed through the prism of the messianic return of James Hird. The Bulldogs' midfield parted for Essendon like the Red Sea.

SWANS UP FOR BOMBER CHALLENGE

Sydney coach John Longmire is relishing the prospect of his players testing themselves against a rejuvenated Essendon on Sunday. Longmire felt the Swans were below par for winning contested balls in their draw with Melbourne. "Essendon are up and about, there's no doubt about that, but we look forward to playing them. To beat a top-four team from last year as well as they did is a credit to them, but I know our players are really looking forward to the challenge," he said.

Cooney confident

IT HASN'T been the most impressive of pre-season performances but Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney maintains he has completed enough work to take on Essendon on Sunday.

Thanks to James, they're one big happy family at Windy Hill

MUCH has been made of the seismic change at Essendon over the past few months, to personnel, the coaching staff, training techniques, and, of course, the gameplan.

NAB CUP SQUADS

MELBOURNE v ESSENDON

No more excuses for Dees: Grimes

TOM Scully will miss tonight's NAB Cup match against Essendon with knee soreness, but the Demons have been bolstered by the inclusion of midfielder Nathan Jones.

Prodigy takes his first tentative steps

THE state of Essendon's list is such that there is more love for the coaches at the moment than the players, with the possible exception of Dustin Fletcher.

FAST FOOTY

GEELONG 2.5 8.7 11.8 19.11 (125)

Dons to rebuild Windy Hill

ESSENDON has revealed its $20 million plan to rebuild Windy Hill in a bid to keep the Bombers at their traditional home for the long-term future.

St Kilda's disappointment more over performance

NINE years ago, a powerhouse team lost the opportunity to go through the season undefeated when it was beaten in round 21 in a momentous upset at Docklands.

Essendon Prepares For 'biggest Day In Club History'

ESSENDON'S 100 members will decide this Thursday whether to move out of Windy Hill, its home since 1872, to Cross Keys Reserve.

Epis Loses Board Spot

FORMER Essendon premiership player and long-time board member Alec Epis has been dumped in favour of financial adviser Jo-Anne Albert.

Top Bomber Happy To Back Lovett

MATTHEW Lloyd has endorsed the view of Essendon coach Matthew Knights that Andrew Lovett would be welcomed back into the playing group, both bearing no grudges and sensing no resentment, following the club's failed efforts to trade him last month.

Wayward Lovett Heads North For Talks

TROUBLED Essendon midfielder Andrew Lovett could be headed north after the Bomber flew to Sydney yesterday to meet senior club figures about a shift to the Swans.

Bomber's Away: Rama Calls It Quits

THE extraordinary career of one of Essendon's favourite sons, Adam Ramanauskas, will end this week, with the 27-year-old announcing his retirement yesterday.

Favourite Son Toretire After Beating Cancer Twice

THE extraordinary career of one of Essendon's favourite sons, Adam Ramanauskas, will end this week, with the 27-year-old announcing his retirement yesterday.

Axed Don Can Play On: Teammate

RETIRING Essendon midfielder Jason Johnson believes axed teammate Damien Peverill would have at least three more years in him at a rival club, while managing director Peter Jackson said Adam Ramanauskas' decision on when and how to retire would be left entirely to him.

Bulldogs Take A Finals Step

THE Western Bulldogs have emerged from the doldrums of the past six weeks with an emphatic 46-point win over an undermanned Essendon side in front of 37,294 people at the Telstra Dome last night.

Knights Cagey On Troubled Lovett's Future

ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights last night did little to hose down speculation that the Bombers intended to trade troubled midfielder Andrew Lovett.

Dogs Take A Finals Step

THE Western Bulldogs have emerged from the doldrums of the past six weeks with an emphatic 46-point win over an undermanned Essendon at the Telstra Dome last night.