ESSENDON needs to hunt the football and win the contested ball count if it is to have a show of beating Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

That's the view of Bomber midfielder Brent Stanton on the eve of the match that pits two very bitter rivals against each other.

"They're obviously in fantastic form. We need to come at them," Stanton said on SEN on Thursday morning.

"They can really move the ball well by foot so we need to shut them down."

The Bombers have focused on the defensive side of their game this week in anticipation of the skillful Hawks.

"It is going to be won in the midfield. Contested footy and really pressuring them so they can't pinpoint their kicks and handballs, which is how they really cut up sides."

To that end, the Bombers will be boosted immeasurably by the return from a three-match suspension of midfielder Heath Hocking.

In Hocking's absence, opposition sides have focused on Stanton and Jobe Watson, and to good effect. Stanton denied he was "dirty" on his teammate for leaving him to do all the work while he paid his penance.

"No, not at all. That's part and parcel of the game and I think he learned his lesson. He's back this week and its fantastic that he is."

The Bombers train on Thursday morning, during which David Myers and Stewart Crameri will be given a chance to prove their fitness for the clash with the Hawks.

Jason Winderlich could return for his first AFL game of the year, while first-year midfielder Elliott Kavanagh is in line to make his debut.