In David Hille and Paddy Ryder, Essendon can boast the AFL's form ruck duo heading into Friday night's big clash with the Western Bulldogs.

As well as holding sway around the ground, the powerhouse Essendon pairing have combined for 12 goals in the Bombers' last two wins against St Kilda and Richmond.

The Bombers have improved to 10th with a 4-5 win-loss record ahead of Friday's clash against the fourth-placed Bulldogs in what shapes as a fast-paced affair under the roof at Etihad Stadium.

Bulldogs ruckmen Ben Hudson and Will Minson are no slouches either, but it is an area of the ground where Essendon fancy their chances of gaining the ascendancy.

"If David and Paddy both come to the table and play as well as they can play together I think it's a real advantage - not just this week, but most weeks," said Essendon assistant coach Ashley Prescott.

"That's been a massive positive in the past few weeks that both big men have really contributed, whether it's in the ruck or down there in the forward line.

"Sometimes you might have a ruck duo where one needs to play off the bench a bit more, or he's better behind the footy.

"But these guys are unique in that they can push forward and be pretty strong."

Not that Prescott was under-estimating the challenge of their direct opponents in Hudson and Minson.

"Those guys are both quality players too and Hudson really leads the way, not only with his attack on the footy at the stoppages, but his second efforts and the way he often clears a path for those midfielders," he said.

"It does loom as a really good battle and whoever holds sway will have a big influence on the game."

The corresponding fixture last year saw the Bulldogs emerge victorious by 33 points.

"The speed that night was unbelievable - the ball was just zinging from one end of the ground to the other," said Prescott.

"Both sides counter-attack pretty hard off the halfback line, so that's something that will happen.

"But we can't allow it to become too much of a shootout because their foot skills are so sublime.

"We need to really come to the table defensively."

Much interest will focus on who gets the job minding Barry Hall, with either veteran Dustin Fletcher and youngster Tayte Pears likely to get first crack at the Bulldogs spearhead who was targeted last week by North Melbourne fullback Scott Thompson.

The Bombers welcome back experienced utility Nathan Lovett-Murray from injury, replacing Jake Melksham (foot).

The Bulldogs also made only one change, with Shaun Higgins coming in for the omitted Nathan Eagleton.

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