ESSENDON captain Dyson Heppell says the importance of his side's return to finals football speaks for itself, saying that a fire is burning within the group after a torrid 2016.

The Bombers finished on the bottom of the ladder last year as a result of year-long doping suspensions for a number of key players including Heppell, but have surged up the ladder this year to reach their first finals series since 2014.

"I don't think it needs to be mentioned amongst the group, but I think that inner burn and motivation and drive has been there ever since we've come back, and I guess this just adds that extra layer to it," Heppell said.

"It's quite a turnaround from 12 months ago," he said.

Mega-preview: Second elimination final, Sydney v Essendon

Heppell said he had his “expectations in check” heading into the season, but won’t be satisfied with simply qualifying for the side’s elimination final against Sydney on Saturday afternoon.

“I probably thought to make the finals would be quite a successful year, but I look at it now and go ‘well I wouldn’t see it as a success if we can’t push it and build a really strong finals campaign’.

“I don’t see any reason why we can’t do that, but as you say, January last year was a bit of a different group and it’s great to be here.”

Essendon hasn’t won a final since 2004, and Heppell said he was looking forward to the challenge of breaking the run this week.        

“It’s really exciting, it’s what you play footy for, you want to prove yourself on the big stage and it’s a great chance for us.

“There’s a great buzz and vibe around the club, so I’m loving it.”

While Heppell has excelled so far in his first season as skipper, he said the future is bright with young leaders such as All Australian Zach Merrett and Rising Star winner Andrew McGrath coming through the team.

“They’re natural leaders, they lead by example,” he said.

“They’re both very measured and very level-headed and I think their footy just does the talking.”