The sample size has only been three games, but there’s enough evidence in the statistics to suggest Mark Thompson has incorporated much of the way his great Geelong side played into the 2014 Essendon Bombers.

Thompson led the Cats to three grand finals and two premierships from 2007 to 2010.

He took over the Bombers after senior coach James Hird was suspended for his part in the 2013 supplements scandal.

Lyon expects huge test from well-coached Bombers

After three games, Essendon sits at 2-1, its only loss a heartbreaking one to 2013 premiers Hawthorn.

An offensive juggernaut, Thompson’s Cats were renowned for their ability to dominate possession and use precision handball skills to move the football.

They were number one in the competition for handballs per game, with 198 over the four-year period. Essendon is ranked first in 2014, with 168.

Geelong averaged 211 kicks per game from 2007-2010, third most in the AFL. Essendon in 2014 averages a league-leading 267 kicks.

Both the 2007-2010 Cats (410 per game) and the 2014 Bombers (435 per game) rank number one in the AFL for total disposals.

The similarities don’t stop there. Both teams rank first for uncontested possessions, Geelong with 276 per game over the four years and Essendon 299 in 2014.

Thompson’s Cats averaged 55 inside 50s per game from 2007-2010 and scored 16 goals a game.

Essendon’s average in 2014 so far – 55 inside 50s and 16 goals per game.

It’s clear that Thompson believes the game plan that took his Geelong side to football immortality is a winning one, and he’s imparting it onto a talented Essendon team.