Essendon's past three weeks has been tough but a clash against the Lions at the Gabba is arguably the hardest.
They come up against a Brisbane outfit who have won five in a row and have proven to travel well.
The Bombers have been unlucky in recent times, going down in close games to Collingwood and Port Adelaide but were well within their rights to claim the four points.
However, Essendon generally match up well against the Lions which resulted in a victory last year at the same ground so they'll take plenty of confidence into Saturday night.
MORE: AFL 2023 quarter-year review - Full analysis of each club
The first bounce of the game between Brisbane and Essendon will be at 7:25pm AEST, at the Gabba in Brisbane.
What time is the AFL today? Brisbane vs Essendon start time
Saturday night's game between Brisbane and Essendon will begin at 7:25pm AEST.
The game will be held at the Gabba in Brisbane.
| City | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth |
| Time | 7:25pm | 7:25pm | 7:25pm | 6:55pm | 5:25pm |
How to watch or livestream Brisbane vs Essendon
Channel 7/Fox Footy will broadcast Saturday night's game.
Coverage on Channel 7/Fox Footy will start from 7:00 pm AEST, with first bounce scheduled for 7:25pm pm AEST.
7Plus/Kayo Sports will stream the game live.
| TV Channel | Channel 7/Fox Footy |
| Live stream | 7Plus/Kayo Sports |
MORE: AFL Injury List 2023: Essendon lose key trio for crucial clash
Brisbane vs Essendon odds
Brisbane are favoured to win this game, paying $1.20 to Essendon's $4.50 to win per BlueBet.
Brisbane vs Essendon round 9 team lists
Brisbane's starting 22
| Full Back | Brandon Starcevich | Jack Payne | Keidean Coleman |
| Half Back | Conor McKenna | Harris Andrews | Dayne Zorko |
| Centre | Jarrod Berry | Zac Bailey | Hugh McCluggage |
| Half Forward | Charlie Cameron | Jack Gunston | Will Ashcroft |
| Full Forward | Lincoln McCarthy | Joe Daniher | Eric Hipwood |
| Followers | Oscar McInerney | Josh Dunkley | Lachie Neale |
| Interchange | Cam Rayner | Harry Sharp | Ryan Lester |
| Darcy Wilmot |
INS: Dayne Zorko
OUTS: Jarryd Lyons (Sub), Noah Answerth (Omitted)
Essendon's starting 22
| Full Back | Nick Hind | Brandon Zerk-Thatcher | Mason Redman |
| Half Back | Andrew McGrath | Kaine Baldwin | Kyle Langford |
| Centre | Sam Durham | Dylan Shiel | Nic Martin |
| Half Forward | Ben Hobbs | Sam Weideman | Jye Caldwell |
| Full Forward | Jye Menzie | Jake Stringer | Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti |
| Followers | Sam Draper | Zach Merrett | Will Setterfield |
| Interchange | Archie Perkins | Dyson Heppell | Alwyn Davey Jnr |
| Andrew Phillips |
INS: Kaine Baldwin, Sam Durham
OUTS: Darcy Parish (Injured), Jake Kelly (Injured), Jordan Ridley (Injured)
