Let's be real Essendon fans, a win against the rampaging and high-scoring Western Bulldogs on Sunday seems to have a snowflake's chance in hell.
While you can never rule out the unimaginable upset - part of what makes the AFL great - the likelihood of a Dons victory at Marvel Stadium seems highly unlikely.
So with your coach under immense pressure, your talent doubted and your players' efforts questioned, what can you look to gain out of the Round 4 fixture?
Below are some targets that, if completed, even in a loss will be a step in the right direction for those who don the red sash.
Defend, pressure, tackle
They say no matter your skill level, what you can always bring is effort, intensity, physicality and pressure.
Those four characteristics have been missing in the opening rounds of the season for the Bombers, but against a blood-hungry Dogs outfit, they are non-negotiable if you are to stop the thumping many fear will happen.
In the days of the 1980s and '90s, Essendon was renowned for being a cut throat, physical killing machine that could rattle and terrify the best sides of those decades.
New skipper Andy McGrath and his fellow leaders (Sam Durham, Zach Merrett, Ben McKay and more) need to show the likes Isaac Kako, Jacob Farrow and co what it means to represent Essendon.
The needle on the pressure scale must be off the charts for four quarters, the Dons need to win the tackle count across the ground and not allow Dogs players to step or breeze past them.
Find Caddy's caddy
Every top golfer has a trusty caddy by his side to support him as he looks to rise to the top. The problem for Essendon is, who is going to be Nate Caddy's caddy?
The young gun forward is out of Sunday's clash after a delayed concussion last weekend against North Melbourne.
So in his absence, who will step up and declare themselves as the Dons' best key forward asset.
Peter Wright is the obvious one to fill Caddy's shoes, but there's little room for surprises with Wright. What we have seen over the journey is what you will get; some good moments, but many times he will remain sight unseen.
Returning from an ACL injury Tom Edwards can't have too much pressure laid on him. He had an impressive start to his career after being plucked from the WAFL, but it will be his first game back since his long term injury so any positive signs will be like gold.
Archer May therefore, with Caddy sidelined, should be the Dons' number one target inside 50. He is a man-mountain and while quiet in 2026, showed signs last season he was good enough for the grade. It's time for the 21-year-old to stamp his mark and prove he and Caddy are a pairing that, in the future, can guide the Bombers back to finals.
Own the moment
It can be tough, especially after having a start to the season like the Bombers have had, but it is key for Essendon players to find the joy in football again. It can look like they are in the midst of a 14-hour shift on the mines at times.
Celebrate the small victories: the chase down tackle, the smother, the spoil, the centimetre perfect kick. Find joy in what they are doing and then some of the pressure on their shoulders will ease.
The likes of McGrath, Caldwell, Durham, McKay, Zach Reid - and arguably the rest - can look so in their own head at times that they wouldn't be able to hear their teammate screaming their name from a foot away.
It is way easier to write than to do, but if the Bombers can find the joy again, they will soon own their moments. They will stick that tackle, they will kick that against the odds goal, they will clunk that pack mark. They will bring joy back to The Hanger.
