What to expect
Essendon will be looking to bounce back from a costly final quarter fade out in their Round 1 loss to Sydney.
The Bombers let slip a 41-point lead in the third quarter, conceding the final 53 points of the match, as Sydney stole a two goal win at the SCG on Saturday night.
In what was largely their first real hit out for 2015, post-game coach James Hird acknowledged the inevitability that his side would run out of legs.
"It has been a tough preparation for a while for a lot of those guys and I think the fear we had was that perhaps this would happen in terms of could we run out a game."
Playing with a renewed sense of freedom, the Bombers combined pace and precise disposal, dominating the clearances and inside 50s early against the Swans.
But defender Michael Hurley said it was the Bombers’ inability to match the Swans’ intensity in the clinches that let them down – something they will have to improve if they’re to challenge a fit and firing Hawks side.
“We're going to have play some good footy to match them, and I think the game will be won or lost in the contest, so hopefully we can get that right," Hurley told media on Tuesday.
Aided by an eight-day break, the Bombers will need to be at their best for four quarters, as they look to break a winless streak against Hawthorn dating back to Round 6, 2010.
Players to watch
New recruit and Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney showed why the Bombers went after him in the off-season, kicking three goals from 13 disposals on Saturday night.
Coach James Hird was quick to praise his efforts post-game.
“In his first game for Essendon it shows that we’ve recruited a very good player, and you’d probably say that these conditions weren’t ideal for Adam…so on a dry day we’re pretty excited about what we’ll get,” Hird said.
While Alastair Clarkson lauded his key defenders for their efforts against the Cats, he will be looking to ensure the Hawks forwards are at their potent best, after a strong showing by Essendon’s own defensive tall timber.
Michael Hurley was voted Essendon’s best by the coaches for his job on Lance Franklin, while Cale Hooker also had the better of Kurt Tippett for the first three quarters.
Potential changes (Ins and outs)
The Bombers will be forced to make at least one change to the team that travelled to the SCG after David Myers dislocated his left shoulder in the opening minutes of their Round 1 clash.
Jackson Merrett, Jason Ashby and recent draftee Kyle Langford are all candidates to be included to take on the Hawks.
