Why Mooney thinks Essendon will play finals ahead of huge GWS test

Triple-premiership forward Cameron Mooney thinks that Essendon will play finals in 2024.

The Dons currently sit sixth with a 5-1-2 record and next face GWS at Marvel Stadium on Saturday evening (4:35pm AEST).

The Bombers are clearly improved defensively under Brad Scott while the likes of Zach Merrett, Nic Martin and Andrew McGrath enjoy career-best seasons in varying roles.

Essendon have already dealt with Hawthorn, St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs, Adelaide and West Coast in 2024 but get a chance to take a huge scalp in the Giants under the roof.

Mooney has no doubt that they can challenge Adam Kingsley’s side as he thinks that the Dons are playing well enough to feature in September later this year.

“It’s a huge test,” Mooney said on SEN Mornings.

“Like most people, I'm pretty impressed with what Essendon have done.

“We saw this last year, but we saw them fall away.

“I think they play finals this year. They're playing a good enough brand and I think they're playing well enough to play finals.

“But they're coming up against one of the better teams in the competition.

“They probably got it handed to them last week against Sydney, the Giants.

“But we know what their best is and if they bring their best, that's going to be a huge challenge Essendon.”

While GWS enter as favourites, Mooney thinks that Essendon will feel good about their chances at home in what could be the game of the round.

“At home, under the roof, a team that's from interstate, they should go in thinking that they should probably win this,” Mooney said.

“But do they win this? It's going to be a massive test for them.

“I can't wait for this one, to be honest.”

Following their meeting with GWS, Essendon play North Melbourne, Richmond, Gold Coast and Carlton before their bye and could be well entrenched in the top eight by then.