The absence of Lance Franklin will result in Essendon entering Friday night's blockbuster clash against Hawthorn with a "better mindset", in a match coach Mark Thompson says is likely to be short of its usual spite.
Franklin slammed through eight goals the last time the Bombers faced the Hawks, and 10 across his two games against them before that back in 2010.
Recent history between the clubs has seen the Hawks win the past four contests despite fierce pre-match talk from the Bombers.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson even threw fuel on the fire last month when he said the game was "ambushed" by the Essendon supplement saga.
But Thompson said the Bombers respected their opponents and would face them encouraged by the absence of Franklin.
"I think a few people used to have nightmares when they lined up against Buddy when he played Essendon because he always kicked goals," Thompson said at training on Tuesday.
"Already we go into the game with a better mindset so that's an advantage for us.
"There's only respect [for Hawthorn] and we're looking forward to playing a good club.
"We don't want to start a big fight and have a massive brawl like the '85 Grand Final."
Thompson, who played in that famous Grand Final where the Bombers were victorious and throughout the two teams’ intense 1980s rivalry, praised the renewed rivalry that has emerged during the Clarkson/Hird era.
"That's why there's such great rivalry between Hawthorn and Geelong and Hawthorn and Essendon, because those critical moments in games, in important games, when they've played each other have been historic," he said.
"There's a lot of history there, good history.
"Supporters from both clubs come and like watching these two teams play.
"As far as I'm concerned, bring that on.
"That's why you play football; to put yourself under pressure in those critical moments and come through."
Jason Winderlich, who is coming back from a pre-season hamstring injury, is available but the Bombers are yet to make a decision on what his next move is.
Winderlich, who has a history of soft tissue injuries, may be eased back in a bid to get him right to play around 18 games this season.
Courtenay Dempsey, who performed well in a VFL practice match on the weekend, will be "a while" before playing at the higher level after an interrupted pre-season.
Paul Chapman pulled up well from Friday night's win over North Melbourne and will line up but will likely spend less minutes in the midfield.
"Chappy's pulled up fine. He's raring to go," Thompson said.
"He wants to play on the ball again but he won't."
