David Zaharakis says his younger teammates learn pretty quickly about the importance of the rivalry with Carlton.

The Bombers will square off against their arch-rival on Sunday in a match that will also mark Zaharakis’ 150^th game at AFL level.

Essendon has won its opening two games, while Carlton will be looking for its first win of the season but Zaharakis said ladder position counts for little when the Bombers and the Blues clash.

“It doesn’t matter if your team is on the bottom of the ladder or on top, you’re always going to get big support at the ‘G and it’s always going to be a loud atmosphere at the ‘G,” he said.

“Sometimes the underdogs do get up in this situation so we’ve got to be right on our game.

“When you have coterie group functions or functions with older Essendon players they talk about Carlton as its main rival.

“The guys get it instilled straight away that they are a big rival for the Football Club and it’s always a good atmosphere when you play a team like that.

“It’s an awesome game to play in.”

The Bombers have lost only one of the past seven matches against Carlton and will be able to call on the expertise of Blues premiership player Greg Williams in the lead up to Sunday’s encounter.

Williams has been working closely with the Bombers midfield throughout the last few months.

“He was one of the great midfielders of the competition, his resume speaks for itself,” Zaharakis said.

“He’s been doing a lot of work with touch and hands in close and how to get a quick release with hands and even quick release with your kicking. 

“He was always the type of midfielder that got the ball quickly out to his teammates. 

“He’s been doing a lot of work with myself, Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell and some of the other midfielders just about ball movement and work around stoppages and he’s been great.”