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Senior Coach Matthew Knights gives essendonfc.com.au his exclusive preview of this week's match:

Brisbane outplayed us last week. They seemed to be one step ahead of us and a little bit more aggressive and that is what we have to turn around this week. Early in the match last week we also struggled to post a score so we have to ensure that, when we take on an impressive team like Hawthorn, we take the opportunity to hit the scoreboard when we do go forward.

Although Hawthorn are sitting on three and three, I rate them more highly than that. They have had a lot of injury problems early in the year and are just starting to get their Grand Final players back now. With a full team they are as good as any side going around so it will be a great challenge for us this week. Our young players have shown at various stages of the year that they are up for the challenge and I am really looking forward to it.

INS & OUTS

Tom Bellchambers will come into the 22 this week to take up a role in the ruck, while Bachar Houli and Jay Neagle will also be welcomed back. All three players have spent nearly a month at Bendigo and worked on the deficit areas of their game and regained some confidence in their ability. It is a just reward for these players who have been consistent for a period of time with Bendigo and it is going to be a great opportunity for them to play on the Friday night stage.

We are also bringing three young players back into the VFL this week following injury. Michael Hurley, Darcy Daniher and Brent Prismall will all play for Bendigo this weekend and all have a lot of talent so they will also be exciting to watch.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead are two players we will obviously be trying to keep a close eye on this week. Jordan Lewis has also had a huge impact since making his way back into the side and Luke Hodge is very much an architect in what they do in defence.

Hawthorn have got a sprinkling of class players across virtually every line so you can�t focus on one or two players because they�ve got so many good players. We�re just going to have to make it a real team effort.

We�ve made a decision to put two younger players on Roughead and Franklin this week. It will all be revealed on Friday night but those players certainly have a big challenge ahead of them and they will have their hands full at times. I think Carlton�s Paul Bower did a great job on Franklin last week and Roughead was the one that got away and kicked eight. They�re both as dangerous as each other on any given night so that�s a really exciting challenge for our group.

Jobe Watson has shown consistent good form for us, as has Alwyn Davey and we will be looking for a strong showing by them this week. Matthew Lloyd went into last week�s game with a heavy corky and was able to move well and he will be really important for us this week, in particular his contested marking. If he is able to play a big game this week, it will be really handy for us.

TOPIC OF THE WEEK - SCOTT LUCAS

Scott Lucas will play in the VFL this week. We wanted to give him games in the seniors to get his form going but it hasn�t worked for him so far despite having played only six rounds. He is coming back from a significant injury at this stage of his career so I don�t think people can underestimate that.

If Scott can go back to the VFL, find some form and get his marking right and his recovery after contests right, then I believe it will put him in a more positive state of mind. We�ve spoken to him about a few themes we�re keen for him to take into the game against Ballarat and we are looking for him to play well so when he comes back into the senior team to have a better contribution.

I offered Scott the option of taking a week off or playing for Bendigo and as senior player I think that decisions should go back to the player themselves. He was able to make that decision and he chose to go down the track of playing with the Bendigo team and I think the young guys up there will be excited about that. If he can help the boys and Adrian Hickmott (coach) get a win down there and make an impact then that would be sensational.