Pure Footy: David King, Daniel Hoyne preview week one of 2021 finals series

Essendon has one shot at knocking the Bulldogs out of the finals and Luke Beveridge can keep his flag hopes alive with one very risky play. Watch Pure Footy.

The Western Bulldogs should seriously consider playing an underdone Stefan Martin in Sunday’s elimination final against Essendon, according to David King.

The North Melbourne champion said the 34-year-old ruckman — who last played in Round 12 — could play a crucial role in keeping the Dogs’ season alive.

Speaking on Pure Footy, King said the Bombers had one shot at knocking the Bulldogs out of the finals.

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“Essendon at clearances, No.1 in the comp over the past six weeks, that’s the area. Eleven goals to three last time they played and all the damage was at centre bounce,” King said.

“The power of Jake Stringer — he is a must-tag. Over that period he is involved in almost 40 per cent of Essendon’s scoring which is a huge number, so if you can stop Stringer, you can pretty much stop Essendon.”

Marcus Bontempelli rucks against Scott Lycett.

Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne said the Bulldogs’ defence is still one of the best in the competition and “if they can minimise the damage from what (Sam) Draper and Stringer are doing, they win”.

King suggested a bold solution: “You have to pick Martin if he’s remotely near fitness.

“If he comes in, it’s a Hail Mary, but even if he’s just there for centre bounces.”

Under this plan, Martin could then head to the goalsquare while Marcus Bontempelli helped out with ruck contests around the ground.

“Maybe they use Bont more in the ruck, I know it looks a bit silly but I don’t mind it as long as it’s not centre bounces.

“I trust Bevo to get that right this week.”

King and Hoyne previewed every week one final, revealed the players who step up in September and more in the final episode of Pure Footy for 2021.