The appeal will take place on Friday night at 6pm.
Hille would be an important inclusion in the side, tackling the tall timber of Fremantle. But it is the Dockers potent running power that has Essendon on high alert.
""Fremantle are now longest kicking side and it will be the first time we have played them playing this sort of football. But it’s up to the midfield to stop their run and play a tight game like Richmond did about three weeks ago,"" acting captain Matthew Lloyd said at training this afternoon.
""We see Freo as a great challenge this weekend. We are glad we are playing them at The Dome and want to play it hard and tight on a smaller ground and get the four points.
And despite still only having won two games for the season, the feeling around is that the team may have turned the corner.
""Inside the club we are very positive. We just have to be careful we don’t get weighed down by how the supporters may see things or the media.
""We have to keep believing, because once you have worrying in house you know you are in a bit of trouble. That’s the great thing about having a coach like Sheeds, he the most positive person I have met and he keeps the place pretty bubbly,"" Lloyd said.
Lloyd also believes his own game has lifted after the match in Sydney and isn’t concerned of any added pressure the captaincy may have on his game.
""It gives me a spur on more so than have me worrying about things, I haven’t changed my game plan.
""I think I took a step in the right direction on the weekend, I haven’t been happy with my own form before then, and it is as much confidence as it is a form thing. But I felt so much better within myself and I think it was a turning point.""
This weekend match will have extra motivation added for the players to celebrate Kevin Sheedy’s Silver Jubilee, 25 years as the senior coach of Essendon.
""It is a massive occasion. I have been 11 years part of that with him and he has always been behind every player. I’d be pretty disappointed if we couldn’t win for him this weekend,"" Lloyd said.
Bomber fans watching training joined in the festivities, all wearing their ‘Sheedy masks’ in preparation for this weekend match.
Among these fans was a group from White Lion, an organisation supporting young people to build better lives for themselves and helps make our community a more inclusive and safer place.
