The Bombers have had a strong week on the training track and will be looking to turn around their recent poor form following three consecutive losses.
Assistant coach Sean Wellman said the Bombers were aware of not underestimating the eleventh placed Kangaroos.
“North Melbourne’s form in the last couple of weeks has been pretty good,” Wellman said.
“Obviously their record doesn’t really indicate the team that they have been having lose five or six close games this season.”
North Melbourne boasts a strong midfield group with the ability to win the contested ball and run and carry.
“They have damaging midfielders we will need to watch in Brent Harvey, Jack Ziebell and Daniel Wells who are just a few that we need to look to shut down,” Wellman said.
“Their contested ball has been very good this year and also they can move the ball pretty quickly on you.
“They get a lot of goals on turnovers and on the counter attack.”
The forward pressure from Essendon will be important tomorrow afternoon with the half back line of Shaun Atley and Aaron Mullett providing important run from defence.
Alwyn Davey and Nick Kommer will need to ensure they are at their defensive best to lock the ball in the forward half for the red and black.
“When we talk about their good running players it is a lot of their half backs such as Atley and some of their bigger defenders who are good running defenders as well,” Wellman said.
“They like to move the ball pretty quickly and as we saw against Geelong a couple of weeks ago they are able to get some really quick goals on the rebound.”
“They are a real counter attack team as a lot of team’s are now that if you turn the ball over in poor areas they will look to punish you really quickly.”
Essendon lost its last encounter against North Melbourne by 24 points at Etihad Stadium in Round 20 last season.
