ESSENDON will welcome its rematch with reigning premier Geelong as a crucial litmus test as the Bombers charge towards sealing a finals berth.
Brad Scott's side suffered a 28-point loss to the Cats at the MCG back in round seven, with Tom Hawkins monstering Brandon Zerk-Thatcher en route to a career-best eight goals.
Fifth-placed Essendon (9-7) is coming off an impressive win over Adelaide ahead of facing eighth-placed Geelong (8-1-7) at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
"We learned a lot," Scott said.
"They certainly got a hold of us in a short period of time, but they maximised that momentum that they had.
"But the rest of the game, there were some positives to come out of it - believe it or not.
"But the difficulty about containing great players is that you can have multiple plans, you need to have multiple plans because they generally find a way.
"What we're really conscious of is that they do have stars ... but players like Gryan Myers and Brad Close, they used to be underrated - they're not underrated by us. They're very good players."
Essendon is yet to draw a line through key defender Jordan Ridley, who trained lightly on Wednesday, after he was cleared of structural damage to the knee he injured against the Crows.
"Structurally it's OK, but it'll be probably function more than anything," Scott said.
"Because I expect him to be a bit sore, but he's saying all the right things and he's really positive about this weekend.
"But as we've been all year if he's 100 per cent, he'll play but if he's a bit off, he won't play."
Young gun Nik Cox was training as a defender and could play his first game of the season while Kaine Baldwin is another option.
Suspended ruckman Andrew Phillips joins Sam Draper (hip) on the sidelines with Nick Bryan looming as the likely inclusion.
Jake Stringer and Mason Redman were on light duties but Scott dismissed any injury concerns.
Scott wouldn't be drawn on whether there would be any back-and-forth between he and twin brother Chris, the Geelong coach.
He also wouldn't entertain commentary the game should be moved to the MCG to let more fans in.
"I feel for our fans that want to go to the game and won't be able to get a seat," he said.
"But they don't move the game from the Adelaide Oval when it's a sellout.
"I mean, it's Geelong's home ground. It's their home game.
"It's interesting when people talk about fairness for different reasons, but we are as a club, more than happy to play an opposition club at their home ground."
