ESSENDON is preparing to take a full-strength squad to Bendigo for Sunday's JLT Community Series clash against Geelong, with star key position players Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley both pushing for selection.

Hooker, who missed the first two pre-season games due to a hamstring strain, trained with the main group for the first half an hour on Monday morning, before joining the rehab group on the adjacent oval when the players went through match practice.

Assistant coach Mark Harvey said if the Bombers decided to take a cautious approach with Hooker, he would join up to 10 senior Bombers in a VFL practice match against Geelong on March 17.

"He'll (Hooker) certainly train this week – it's just whether we think he's done enough football training to play against Geelong," Harvey said.

Hurley, who injured his ankle in the Bombers' loss to Gold Coast in the club's second JLT Community Series game, trained on the adjacent oval with the rehab group.

However Harvey said the Bombers were confident Hurley would be available against the Cats.

"My understanding at this stage is that he'll (Hurley) play, pending on how he trains throughout the week."

Harvey explained the reason behind easing Hooker into action after 12 months out of the game due to a WADA-imposed suspension.

"He's been out for six or seven weeks now, so it's just about whether we bide our time and make sure he gets the appropriate training in," he said.

"It's making sure he's ready for the duration of this season."

The Bombers will treat Sunday's match as a full dress rehearsal ahead of a round one showdown against Hawthorn, with important playmakers Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett and David Zaharakis all expected to return.

Essendon is likely to only play with four players on the bench, with No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath and surprise packet draftee Josh Begley – who booted four goals against the Suns – set to be named in the side.

Harvey said he sensed a strong motivation among the players for what lay ahead in 2017.

"There is an underlying ambition with this team," he said.

"There's going to be pressure for spots in the team and I'm pretty sure this group is going to challenge each other and we'll be a dangerous side over the course of this year."

The Bombers players were still finding their feet but were making progress in the way they are gelling together, Harvey said.

"The reality is they still need to play a lot more football with each other, but their understanding of our game-plan, the instruction and communication that's been put forward at training sessions … I think we're going to be a well-organised team, put it that way."