The performance of the Bombers' developing but potent forward line tomorrow night against the Hawks will go a long way to determining the result, according to assistant coach Adrian Hickmott.
Hickmott admitted the side will miss Angus Monfries (hamstring) and called on three young Bombers to help fill the void.
""Hurley and Gumbleton and Zaharakis... we need them to move around,"" he said to Bomber.tv.
""We know Hurley played well last week and the week before under duress .. for him to come up and do that just shows that he’s resilient.
""He’s a very good player, Michael Hurley, and as long as he launches at the ball and works in with Paddy Ryder when he goes down there and Gumbleton, things can happen for us.
""Alwyn Davey, Leroy Jetta, if they put on the forward line pressure that we need, we’re hoping that that releases the big guys as well.""
Hickmott said the Bombers would most likely run a player with either Sam Mitchell or Luke Hodge but said it would be all round team defence in the midfield that would negate the Hawks impact.
""It is a big game against Hawthorn, they’ve won five straight and they’re looking pretty good too,"" he said.
""We’ve lost our last two so our job tomorrow night is to come out hard, continuously attack the football and move the ball on quickly.
""There’s no doubt that Franklin, Rioli and Roughead get going (forward), they look like they can play the game. Our blokes down the back in Fletcher; he’s got enough experience down there, Cale Hooker will come back in, (Tayte) Pears, Henry Slattery, Mark McVeigh, they’re pretty strong willed blokes down there.""
Hickmott said the AFL's fiercest rivalry would ensure an intense contest but he rejected talk of a State Of Origin type physical clash.
""We both attack the ball hard... the rivalry is there, I think that our teams enjoy playing against each other and therefore their eyes are only for the ball,"" he said.
""We’ve got to do that all night, we can’t just do it in one or two quarters we need to eye the ball and then move hard when we’ve got the ball.""
South Australian fan information: Essendon players and coaches will appear at 'Breakfast with the Bombers' in Adelaide the morning after their clash with the Crows.
When: Sunday, 4th July at 8:30am (doors open at 8am).
Where: Adelaide Hilton, Victoria Square.
Tickets cost $50 per adult and $25 for under 15's and includes a cooked breakfast, door prize, raffles, auctions, interviews with the players, autograph and photo opportunities.
Numbers are limited and booking can be made by emailing Jeff at: jeff12@adam.com.au or Brad at: bradleej@adam.com.au
