Essendon coach James Hird says his team are perfectly positioned to knock over Collingwood in their Anzac Day AFL clash.

The Bombers have only won once in the past seven annual MCG blockbusters, back in 2009.

Unbeaten this season, they feel they’ve now got the confidence and the midfield to match the Magpies and contain last year’s game-breaker Dane Swan on Thursday.

“We think our midfield’s a quality midfield,” said Hird.

“It’s got a good mix of up-and-coming players who have earned their spot and seasoned professionals like Brendon Goddard, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton and Heath Hocking so we think it’s well-positioned.”

In last year’s one-point win by Collingwood, Swan had 42 possessions to win the Anzac Medal as best on ground.

Hird said he had to be stopped.

“We’re not the only club that has trouble with Dane.

“He’s an excellent player and we’ll look at things to bring that (possession count) down to a reasonable level.”

Essendon were also unbeaten heading into last year’s fixture but the coach said they were better placed now, with more fit players pushing for selection.

“We’re playing better football than this time last year.

“We may have been 4-0 (last year) but if we look back at the games we were just beating sides and probably lucky to win a couple of those games.

“I think the way we’re playing and defending is a lot better.”

Key forward Stewart Crameri will return from a knee problem to replace the injured Michael Hurley, which may delay the debut of 19-year-old Joe Daniher.

The prized father-son recruit kicked four goals to be the Essendon VFL team’s best player last Saturday.

Hird denied the Anzac Day stage, with a crowd of 90,000 expected, was too big for a debutant.

“Joe’s definitely ready. If you’ve seen him play in the last two or three weeks he’s very close to playing AFL football,” Hird said.