Essendon mastermind Kevin Sheedy says he is expecting a bigger crowd at the MCG this Saturday than turned up for the Anzac Day clash. The Bombers face a Sydney side on the rebound after a shock loss at home last week to Melbourne.

""I wouldn’t be surprised if we had, nearly an Anzac crowd here (MCG). Sydney has got a tremendous sort of following in Melbourne. I’d say it will be one of the games of the round to be quite honest,"" he said.

Sheedy said that returning to the MCG a few weeks ago against Carlton, was at first, a little daunting. ""When we come down from Windy Hill to here to play the other week it was very, very new. It was quite strange to see the MCG the way it was,"" he said.

""Early doors we struggled, but the last couple of weeks have been good for us to play here. We have had a couple of weeks here that have been very good. Definitely out in the open with all different weather patterns and has been pretty handy for us.

""We haven’t played them (Sydney) here for quite some time. Look it will be a great game because I think we have got talented players and that both sides are really playing pretty good, smart footy,"" Sheedy said.

Sydney is one of the most improved clubs in the competition of the past few years. They finished in the top four last season and gave Essendon a toweling in Round 11 at Stadium Australia.

""I actually think they are probably better (than last year), I think they play more confidently,"" said Sheedy. ""We need to play Sydney to really find out where we are make sure we are up there with them.

""I think they are playing right up there with the best three clubs basically in the AFL at the moment. We have got to make sure we are switched on trying to play to the best of our ability,"" he said.

And who does Sheedy think will try to combat in form skipper James Hird?

""His (Hird’s) form this year has been excellent. I mean the other sides will notice that so they will always try and negate a player like him. I think that is Paul’s (Roos) job. He’s ahead of us on the ladder so I am not going to give him any information, I don’t need to,"" Sheedy quipped.