Essendon is set to look towards Jake Carlisle, Tom Bellchambers and Patrick Ryder to expose Sydney’s defence in Friday night’s blockbuster at the SCG.

With Franklin, Tippet and Goodes down one end of the field Essendon is confident it has its own tall trio to match the Swans.

Assistant coach Nathan Bassett said it was important to ensure they won the ball around the contest to give their forwards plenty of opportunity to score.

“We have to be very good in the contest to get the ball moving our way a little bit more,” he said.

“We would like to think we have the opportunity to expose their defence a little bit with the form Jake Carlisle is in at the moment.”

“It was difficult without Joe last week to have a second ruck option and a bit destabilising for our defence to move Hooksy and Fletch into that position.”

“We think both Paddy and T-Bell can expose Sydney’s defence a little bit.”

Bassett said the key to stopping the Swans star studded forward line was limiting the number of forward 50 entries.

“Clearly they are one of the best teams in the competition, their forwards and mids are both exceptional.”

“I think when you start looking at the guys that go through their high half forward roles like Luke Parker and Jared McVeigh you get a picture of how good they are.”

“It is about trying to cut the supply, if Sydney have lots of ball inside 50 they are going to kick lots of goals.”

Basset said the Bombers were up for what they expected to be one of their toughest battles this season.

“They have so many other players, they are so much more then a two man show Sydney,” he said,

“They are in there with the best two sides in the competition at the moment and it is going to be a big challenge for us.”