Essendon's below-par forward line won't hurt their chances of winning their first final in a decade, according to coach Mark Thompson.
The Bombers have been under pressure all season to kick winning scores, with breakout forward Jake Carlisle's absence not helping their cause.
For the elimination final against North Melbourne, ruckman Tom Bellchambers has been named at full forward, with 20-year-old Joe Daniher at centre half forward.
Thompson isn't worried by such concerns, pointing to the other end of the ground.
"We're fourth-ranked defence and that means you can play with the big boys," he said.
"That's what we've been focusing on and that's been the one area where we wanted to compete.
"To have the fourth best defence in the competition with this group this year is an outstanding effort.
"We're playing with the big boys now, we're not far away."
Thompson's analysis stands up: while the Bombers have been criticised for topping the century just a handful of times, they've conceded the ton just twice.
With newly re-signed forward Patrick Ambrose axed for Saturday night's match, Thompson said Michael Hurley could be spending more time in Essendon's forward line.
The Bombers won the sides' sole meeting this season in round one.
Four goals from Paul Chapman on his Essendon debut were priceless in a 39-point win, one of the Kangaroos' worst for the season.
"You know that we caught them by surprise and we won't surprise them this weekend," Thompson said.
"We're going to have to be better than we were round one."
The always-candid coach admitted mixed feelings ahead of what could be his last at the helm of the Bombers - and his last match as a senior coach.
"I want it to go as long as we can but then again sometimes you want it to finish so you can stop this intense work rate," he said.
"When it happens it happens and I'm looking forward to handing over to Hirdy."
The two-time Geelong premiership coach said his focus was on the Bombers' season and not what lays beyond.
"I want to get this year out of the way and not distract the players in any way possible," he said.
"It's not about Mark Thompson; it's about these guys winning a game of footy."
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