STAR Essendon forward Joe Daniher may be thrown into the ruck against Collingwood on Anzac Day as the Bombers try to break him out of his middling early-season form.

While Daniher is ranked No.4 in the competition for contested marks per game and No.7 for average marks inside 50, he has booted only six goals from four matches.

Essendon coach John Worsfold told reporters the club was conscious of not overworking Daniher but could pit him against in-form Magpies big man Brodie Grundy at stages.

"He may do and he could do," Worsfold said.

"It's a bit of a workload thing with Joe, too.

"We've very conscious that as a young key position player, he carries a pretty big workload in the forward line and we're looking after his long-term career by not overworking him through the ruck as well.

"We're constantly searching for that balance, but Joe, in the last couple of weeks, has gone into the ruck more than he did in the first couple of rounds."

Daniher is No.11 in the competition for average time on ground percentage.

Worsfold acknowledged the 24-year-old had faced his struggles after booting 65 goals in 2017.

"I don't think he's hit his peak form, but he hasn't been poor. Joe knows if he keeps working at it, his best footy will come. It only comes if you keep working," Worsfold said.

"It doesn't come because everyone is telling you, you should be playing better."

Another player who has endured an up-and-down start to the year is Zach Merrett, who like Daniher made his maiden Virgin Australia All Australian side in 2017.

Merrett, 22, has faced serious attention from opposition stoppers and has been limited to an average of 18 disposals per game, although he was concussed in the first quarter of the round one clash against Adelaide.

Worsfold had tongue planted in cheek when he suggested Steele Sidebottom and Merrett could try to negate each other. It's a match-up that could eventuate, since Sidebottom kept Crows onballer Rory Sloane quiet in round four while racking up 43 disposals himself.

"Zach Merrett and Steele Sidebottom might tag each other. That would be a first, wouldn't it? Sidebottom's a tagger but we have to tag him," Worsfold said.

Cale Hooker moved into the backline with success against Port Adelaide but that might not be a permanent move, according to Worsfold.

"We have got the ability to be a bit more flexible this week, with the way the opposition line up," Worsfold said.