Essendon coach James Hird is confident his team is up for the challenge of getting the four points against Collingwood on ANZAC Day.

Essendon has won just two of the last ten ANZAC Day clashes with the Magpies, a record the club is looking to change at the MCG on Thursday afternoon.

“I think it is great to be part of, the day is very special but it still is four points and you get into the moment and coach the moment,” Hird said on The Hangar.

“I think for people like Brendon Goddard, Mark Baguley and a number of others who will play their first ANZAC Day game it is really just about enjoying the moment but when the siren goes there is a game of footy to be played.”

Hird said his side was aware of the task they faced coming up against an in form Collingwood side.

“Collingwood are an exceptional team, the magnificent thing about their season so far is there ability to cover injuries,” Hird said.

“They have a lot of pace, a lot of small forwards and obviously their midfield is outstanding.”

“Pendlebury and Swan are very good players, it is going to be a very good game, they are going to be very fast with the ball and it will be a tough day for us.”

Jake Carlisle looks set for the task of on fire big man Travis Cloke who is coming off a bag of seven goals against Richmond last round.

“Travis Cloke is an exceptional player and generally hard to play on,” Hird said.

“You would have to say that Jake Carlisle’s start to the year so far, the way he has kept the key forwards to four or five goals in the games he has played has been outstanding.”

Carlisle and Cloke will be just one battle that will be intriguing to watch throughout the afternoon, as will the match ups through the middle of the ground.

Watson, Goddard, Heppell and Stanton will go up against Swan, Pendlebury, Dale Thomas and Steele Sidebottom.

One thing is for certain – we are set for another ANZAC Day thriller in front of a packed crowd at the MCG.