ESSENDON is backing its fast-paced game plan to again bring Hawthorn undone when the two teams meet at the MCG on Friday night.

The round 13 clash is a must-win for the Bombers who have dropped their past two games to slip to 10th on the AFL table.

Essendon got involved in a shootout against top-of-the-ladder Geelong last week and was blown away by 71 points, however assistant coach Adrian Hickmott says his side won’t be shying away from a similarly quick game against the Hawks.

“We’ve lost our last two so our job tomorrow night is to come out hard, continuously attack the football and move the ball on quickly,” Hickmott said on Thursday morning.

Both teams’ seasons are still precariously poised but the Hawks’ big guns, fresh from five straight wins, are looking ominous.

“It is a big game against Hawthorn, they’ve won five straight and they’re looking pretty good too,” Hickmott told his club’s website.
 
“There’s no doubt that [if] Franklin, Rioli and Roughead get going, they look like they can play the game.

“[But] our blokes down the back in Fletcher; he’s got enough experience down there, Cale Hooker will come back in, [Tayte] Pears, Henry Slattery, Mark McVeigh, they’re pretty strong willed blokes down there.”

The Bombers have already enjoyed some success against the Hawks this year, downing Alastair Clarkson’s men by 43 points in round six.

While Hawthorn was struggling for form and confidence back then, the Bombers’ key defenders were superb as Matthew Knights’ team won the first clash since last year’s fiery round 22 showdown.

Hickmott believes there will still be plenty of spite in the clash but will be urging his men to stay focused.
 
“We both attack the ball hard ... the rivalry is there, I think that our teams enjoy playing against each other and therefore their eyes are only for the ball.

“We’ve got to do that all night, we can’t just do it in one or two quarters. We need to eye the ball and then move hard when we’ve got the ball.”

Michael Hurley, who kicked four goals against the Cats last week, also booted four against Hawthorn in round six.

The Bombers hope he can again be an influence on Friday night.

“We know Hurley played well last week and the week before under duress ... for him to come up and do that just shows that he’s resilient,” Hickmott said.

“He’s a very good player, Michael Hurley, and as long as he launches at the ball and works in with Paddy Ryder when he goes down there and [Scott] Gumbleton, things can happen for us.

“Alwyn Davey, Leroy Jetta, if they put on the forward line pressure that we need, we’re hoping that that releases the big guys as well.”