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Essendon great Matthew Lloyd says Anzac Day is a big chance for the Bombers to prove their AFL credentials this season.
Matthew Lloyd wants to see Essendon stand and deliver in the AFL Anzac Day blockbuster.
The Bombers goalkicking great says the pressure is on his old club in Thursday's clash, and Collingwood would prove a major AFL scalp.
This is the 25th Anzac Day clash between the two powerhouse clubs, now considered the biggest AFL game outside the finals.
It's also 15 years since the Bombers last won a final.
But Essendon have won their last three games and rarely has Anzac Day marked a game where the two rivals are in such strong form, with Collingwood also boasting a 3-2 record.
Lloyd pointed out Essendon's three wins have come against Melbourne and North Melbourne, currently second-last and last on the ladder, and ninth-placed Brisbane.
"You could say Brisbane were a scalp, because they were playing good football, but they were due," Lloyd said at a pre-Anzac Day lunch.
"I actually played in the last winning final, that's how long ago it was.
"The pressure is on and there have been enough excuses made.
"(Essendon) have to stand up big-time tomorrow and I think they're good enough to win."
The question was put to Lloyd and AFL great Leigh Matthews, who coached Collingwood in the first Anzac Day blockbuster, whether a win on Thursday would establish Essendon as premiership chances.
"We need to see it for longer," was Lloyd's response.
Matthews' big hope is that it's a high-scoring game, noting the two teams have looked dangerous inside 50m so far this season.
"Whenever the opposition has done that, you suspect both sides will be really keen to make sure the opposition can't run through the centre square," Matthews said.
"Essendon look like they have the level, as Collingwood have, to be in that (finals) contention."
Lloyd repeated his contention that Collingwood's midfield, while talented, is yet to prove it is top-level.
"But it has the capacity to bat as deep as any midfield I've seen - it's big for Dylan Shiel and Zach Merrett to see if they can stand up to that," he said.
"Then I'm interested to see if (Collingwood forwards) Brodie Mihocek and Mason Cox can stand up to (Michael) Hurley and (Cale) Hooker."
Matthews watched Collingwood take Brisbane apart on Easter Thursday, a week after Essendon also beat the Lions.
"That was the best I've seen a team play in any one game, they were just outstanding," Matthews said of the Magpies.
