ESSENDON will invite its premiership heroes of 1984/85 back to Windy Hill this season to help commemorate the 25th anniversary of the back-to-back flags over Hawthorn.

The Bombers launched their celebrations on Tuesday, three days before facing off with the Hawks in their round seven Friday night clash at Docklands.

Dual premiership player Simon Madden said he hoped to have the same effect on the young Bomber group as the victorious 1965 side had on him when they did a similar thing during his early playing days.

"In our development when we were younger, we had a function with the '65 premiership side, and it's a real eye opener to meet these blokes who are normal people that don't have an extra arm or leg that have played in a premiership," he said. 

"All of a sudden you realise it's a possibility for you, and I think that's really important for the young players to understand it's a hell of a lot of work and a hell of a lot of commitment and team work, but it's been done before and can be repeated."

Current coach Matthew Knights said the players were more than enthusiastic when told of the upcoming interaction some of the club's legends.

"With the young group, we discussed it with our leadership group and they couldn't get enough of it when we said we were looking to invite them back," Knights said.

"They were really buoyant about it and I know today they were really looking forward to mixing with TD [Terry Daniher] and Simon, so our players are all for it."

Former Essendon utility Daniher said time had flown since he was part of the double premiership success.

"It's gone quickly. It's a great opportunity for the past players as well to come back to the club and rub shoulders with the younger guys," he said.

"It's nice to be asked back and given that opportunity.

"While we support from afar, we still go to a lot of the games and watch what's going on pretty closely. It's nice to be able to have the opportunity to get back into the inner sanctum and meet some of the players."

Daniher, who was one of four brothers to play for Essendon, said it was terrific to see nephew and second-year Bomber Darcy carry on the family legacy and wear the famous strip.

"I nearly jumped out of the stands the other day when he was a bit off his opponent on a couple of occasions against North Melbourne," he said.

"It's pretty easy in the stands.

"It's great to see him out there in the red and black, and like a lot of the younger kids, we've just got to work hard to encourage the younger guys going forward to get us up there where we belong."

Knights believes the celebrations, which will include the premiership players attending training sessions, an official event held in July, and the production of a range of memorabilia and a commemorative book, are commencing at an appropriate time. 

"We're very proud to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the great 1984/85 premierships," he said.

"Playing Hawthorn this week, there's no better time to celebrate that and hopefully our young men can do us proud on Friday evening."