Essendon faces a big test on Friday night when they come up against the in-form Fremantle Dockers. Fremantle moved to fifth position on the ladder after disposing of the reigning premiers by 49-points last weekend. Essendon and Fremantle have shared a modern day rivalry in recent seasons. The last time the two met was in the first elimination final last year at Subiaco.

The Bombers were on a mission that night and came out with all guns blazing. James Hird was inspirational and collected 28-possessions in his best on ground performance. Matthew Lloyd was a focal point up forward and finished with five goals and Mark McVeigh stitched up small forward Paul Medhurst.

McVeigh will have to again be at his best this Friday night. Medhurst was the star of his team's win against Brisbane, booting nine goals. Essendon spearhead Matthew Lloyd believes that his teammate McVeigh will have a busy night minding Medhurst. ""Mark is the right man for the job. It will be a tough assignment as Paul (Medhurst) will be so confident this week. It is a great challenge for Mark, but I am sure with help from the midfield and the forwards, he should do a good job,"" Lloyd said.

James Hird watched Essendon's Round 9 match against Geelong from his loungeroom. This week he will be in the thick of the action at The Pressure Cooker. The skipper was back on the training track on Monday night and declared his availability for this Friday night's match against Fremantle.

Hird said Fremantle would be tough to beat after winning the past two weeks. “They are a terrific side and they played well against Brisbane last week. To beat Brisbane by the amount they did was a great effort. That would be one of Brisbane’s biggest losses for a long time. They are in very good form and are a very good side. We have had some good rivalry with them over the past few years,” Hird said.

Essendon has copped criticism in recent weeks for failing to beat a team above them on the ladder. Friday night presents that challenge and assistant coach Dean Wallis said it is going to be a good opportunity for the team to prove that they are the real deal this season. “You can only beat the teams that you have been put up against us. We have beaten teams that have been above us when we have played them, but at the present time, the teams that we have beaten are below us.

""Fremantle have come off a massive win against the reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions, and they will be fired up and ready to do well. They will be keen to show they are a genuine finals’ team and can win games of footy in Melbourne,” Wallis said.

Essendon v Fremantle - the last five results:

First Elimination Final, 2003 - Essendon (101) d Fremantle (57) - Subiaco

Round 22, 2003 - Essendon (133) d Fremantle (73) - The Dome

Round 6, 2003 – Fremantle (131) d Essendon (100) - Subiaco

Round 21, 2002 - Essendon (93) d Fremantle (72) - The Dome

Round 6, 2002 - Fremantle (89) d Essendon (62) - Subiaco