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Bombers Wary

By Luke D’Anello

ESSENDON assistant coach Ashley Prescott is certain Hawthorn will present a much tougher proposition than it did earlier in the season when the pair meets on Friday night at the MCG.

The Hawks have won their past five matches to be one of the form teams of the AFL. It is a far cry from their from between rounds 2 and 7 when they lost six matches in succession.

That run included a seven-goal loss to the Bombers in Round 6.

But with a number of their stars back, fit and firing, Hawthorn, the 2008 premier, is likely to enter this clash as favourites.

“They (Hawthorn) are talking themselves up by saying last time they were terrible and are not giving us any credit for our performance,” Prescott said on the Essendon website.

“So we have to make sure that we get back to playing really good hard, contested footy.

“They have been playing good footy and have really started to win the hard ball.”

Essendon may be boosted by the return of some key personnel, with Cale Hooker set to return from a hamstring injury.

Angus Monfries and David Hille are tipped to return after this weekend’s split round.

The Bombers have lost their past two matches and will be looking to get back on the winner’s list.