Assistant Coach Gary O’Donnell says the Lions must play the game on their own terms as they prepare to take on Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

“Essendon are a team that are probably middle of the road at the moment but on their day can match it with anyone so it’s going to be a tough game down at Etihad this week.

“(We’ll focus on) starting the game well and having them on our terms which has been the case in the last two games we’ve won.”

O’Donnell identified Bombers midfielder, Dyson Heppell, as a player the Lions must keep in check. Essendon have named three big inclusions in their initial 25-man squad –  Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney, Paul Chapman and Jake Carlisle.

“Dyson Heppell’s a very good player, isn’t he?! We have to look at him, but they have a large range of experienced players in Goddard, and they might have Cooney and Chapman come back as well so you add that to guys like Watson, Hurley and Carlisle might come back too.

“Heppell gets a lot of the footy in contested situations and is able to get from inside the contest to out and he just keeps bobbing up as well. His disposals are important. Jobe Watson is similar in that regard.”

“Our mids were very good last week against quality mids at Port Adelaide and they’ve got the same job this week against Essendon.”