ESSENDON coach John Worsfold has stressed that no decisions have been made about the composition of the team that will face Collingwood on Anzac Day.

The Bombers seem likely to regain top midfielders Devon Smith and David Zaharakis for the Thursday blockbuster at the MCG, and Worsfold said key forward Joe Daniher had pulled up well from his comeback game on Good Friday - in which the Bombers easily beat North Melbourne.

Smith missed out last week with a knee injury and Zaharakis was out of action with a leg infection.

ANALYSIS How far can the Dons go with Joey back in the game?

While Worsfold said no decisions would be made before the match committee met, he was upbeat about how Smith and Zaharakis were progressing.

Good Friday was Daniher's first home and away game in almost a year.

"After today we'll get a better assessment of how he's tracking," Worsfold said. The AFL will fine Essendon for rushing Daniher into its side. "It was a fine line, we spoke fairly heavily about what is the best program," Worsfold said.

"We made a decision; not lightly.

"It was our error and it was going to cost the club some money, so we're disappointed with that."

Joe Daniher celebrates a goal during the Dons' clash with the Roos. Picture: AFL Photos

Daniher replaced Zac Clarke, who was limping at Monday training as he nurses a corked calf.

This will be the first time in several seasons that Essendon and Collingwood boast such strong form for their annual Anzac Day showdown.

The Bombers and Magpies have opened up Brisbane in successive weeks.

After a dreadful round one loss to Greater Western Sydney and then going down to a resurgent St Kilda, Essendon has won its past three games.

But Worsfold said there was nothing more than usual riding on this Anzac Day clash, other than Essendon wanting to honour the occasion with a strong performance.

"I've had three years in charge of this team and the first two years were quite unique," Worsfold said, referring to the fallout from the supplements scandal.

"So we're slowly putting everything together for where the club wants to get to; that doesn't happen overnight.

"We still have a way to go to say consistently and over a long period of time, 'we're now playing our best footy'."

On Wednesday morning Essendon will host Bob Semple, who is in his late 90s and one of the last surviving Rats of Tobruk from World War II.

"I've read some stuff about him and you can't fathom going through it," Worsfold said.

"It's quite amazing, what they did."

Worsfold laughed off some debate about whether band Birds Of Tokyo should be part of the pre-game Anzac Day entertainment.

"I'm more concerned they're called 'Birds' and we're playing the 'Pies," he said.

"What's going on there? That's a bit of favouritism."