Beyond Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera lighting up Marvel Stadium again or Archie Roberts adding more weight to his Rising Star claims, Friday night's AFL clash is between two teams whose finals hopes ended weeks ago.
It's what's to come that will shine a fierce light on what progress is being made at Moorabbin and Tullamarine.
Saints coach Ross Lyon can rail all he likes against the media speculation around his list, but can they retain Wanganeen-Milera? Can Max King recover from the knee injury that ruined his season?
While they have won their past three games, the Saints' win-loss record is behind where it was this time last year. Are they on track for a return to the top eight?
Essendon are coming to the end of a basket-case of a season, featuring so many injuries that they are fielding a glorified seconds team.
Rhys Unwin will be their 15th AFL debutant this season - already a league record outside of expansion teams.
It was noted this week they are finding exotic new ways to have players unavailable, with Dylan Shiel suspended for an incident where his own teammate was hurt.
Captain Zach Merrett and impressive youngster Archie May are sidelined because of injury.
Their raw playing list compares favourably to St Kilda's, but culture and player development and injury management clearly are concerns.
Coach Brad Scott says progress is being made. But he knows better than anyone that sounds hollow when you're 15th, and as of Friday night, it will be 7650 days since Essendon won a final.
"The thing is, it's only really judged in the fullness of time. You can be taking steps forward without it being noticeable," Scott said of their player development.
"I've been absolutely rapt with the job that our assistant coaches have done, but I've been really reluctant to say that - because there's a scoreboard and people would say 'how can you say they've done a great job?'
"Well, they have done a great job with the circumstances they've been working in."
The same goes for culture, which from the outside has not looked great for a long time.
"It's largely intangible. People really only measure it from wins and losses over time," Scott said.
"I'm firm in the belief that we're taking good strides forward in that area, but you won't be able to see it until it's in the rearview mirror.
"You want to have it happen tomorrow, but the reality is it takes some time."
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