Patrick Ambrose and Michael Hartley are yet to play 50 games between them, but they could be central to the result against St Kilda, according to Robert Shaw.
Both players shape as potential match-ups for Nick Riewoldt.
The Saints Captain has been in excellent form this season, having kicked 18 goals across the first eight games.
“If he goes forward I’d continue to back Michael Hartley,” Shaw said.
“His first half on Lance Franklin was excellent, he’s got the height and the athleticism to manage him.”
But the 33-year-old Riewoldt has also spent time in the midfield this season. In six of the eight games so far, he's registered 22 or more possessions.
“It’s going to be interesting when he goes to the wing and behind the ball because he’s a running machine,” Shaw said.
“There is probably only one player in the Essendon team that is a tall type player that has the capabilities to run with him and that’s young (Patrick) Ambrose.
“He’s got great stamina and can really run.
“That is going to be one of the really interesting in-game decisions that the Essendon coaches will have to make.”
The Bombers are coming off a strong second half against North Melbourne, while St Kilda will be looking to rebound after a 103-point loss to West Coast.
“I wouldn’t be paying too much attention to what happened last week,” Shaw said.
“If you go through their (St Kilda) form, they easily disposed of Melbourne, they pushed Hawthorn to four points and made a mess of Collingwood.
“That’s the form line I’d be looking at and I think they play the ground very well.”
Shaw said despite having won only two games this season, the Saints have the ability to hurt teams with their ball movement.
“One of the things Essendon are going to have to be spot on with is are they going to play man on man, or are they going to do a hard press,” he said.
“St Kilda can move it quickly, they’re obviously not as good as the Bulldogs, but their game is very similar with their transfer and run.
“How (Essendon) set up their zone against a really mobile, quick, young side is going to be critical.
“If both teams can bring their best – or close to it – it’s going to be a very good game.
“I’m really looking forward to this game because both teams play a style of game that is very exciting.”
