Essendon's backline will confront a different challenge when they line up against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, according to Bombers champion Scott Lucas.

The Bulldogs will be missing Jack Redpath through suspension.

The former Bendigo Bombers player joins other noted forwards Stewart Crameri and Jake Stringer on the sidelines. 

Travis Cloke has been named on an extended interchange bench.

While the former Magpie could provide a marking option, Lucas expects the Dogs to use a forward set-up featuring mostly smaller options.

“It’s an incredibly unpredictable forward line on the back of some personnel challenges,” Lucas said.

“We saw six goals from Picken last week so he seems the most likely player to kick a bag.

“Expect Bontempelli to roll through there because of the need of some tall players to play down there.

“The Bombers will need to get their match-ups right because it will be a different looking forward line, that they won’t have seen a lot of.

“It may require a Hurley or a Hartley to play on a small."

The Bulldogs generated 30 scoring shots in their win over Gold Coast last week, while Essendon conceded more than 100 points for the first time in six weeks. 

In the five matches prior to that the Dons were averaging just 75 points against.