ESSENDON has lost only one game this season (by one point), but the club agrees it will get a better idea of where it sits after playing the unbeaten West Coast on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.

The Eagles are on top of the ladder, but this week has seen a swelling of support for the Bombers, with some suggestions they will hold a top-four spot by season's end.

Essendon coach James Hird said the Eagles presented a huge test.

"We've had some good performances this year but playing against the best is always an indication of how well you're going," Hird said on Friday.

"It's a big game for both clubs."

As for the extra attention this week after the club's promising start to the season, Hird said it was a good thing.

Not only was it a chance for his players to perform under higher expectations, Hird said it was better than being criticised.

"I always think it's better to get positive press than negative press," he said.

"This club's had a fair share of negative press over the last two or three years and we're happy to get the positive press."

Athletic forward Stewart Crameri is set to face the Eagles with Hird saying he trained strongly after suffering bruising to his leg last week.

Crameri only needed to get through Friday's session to guarantee his selection.

"He's got through everything this week. He's run Monday, run Wednesday, run Thursday and there's no reason why he won't get through today," Hird said.

Hird said he hadn't addressed the Eagles' perceived ability to draw free kicks for high tackles, suggesting "there's a lot more areas to the Eagles that we need to concentrate on".

He also said the AFL's crackdown on sliding into contests wouldn't change how the club plays this weekend.

"We're going to play the game exactly the same way we've played it all year," he said.

"It's very hard to go and tell players today to change the way they play."

Callum Twomey is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey