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Geelong have set out to kick a big score against Essendon on Friday night after managing just seven goals in a horror AFL defeat to Brisbane last week.

Tom Hawkins has backed Geelong's multi-faceted attack to bounce back from a rare quiet outing to kick a winning score in Friday night's crunch meeting with Essendon.

The Cats managed just seven goals last week and produced their lowest score of the season in a 44-point thumping from Brisbane, which put a dent in their top-four hopes.

The so-called "three-headed monster" of Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron and Gary Rohan combined for just two majors.

Former GWS spearhead Cameron, who kicked 25 majors in his first eight outings for the Cats, went goalless for the first time in blue and white hoops.

But the below-par return hasn't shaken Geelong's internal belief as they prepare to welcome the Bombers to GMHBA Stadium.

"As a collective six or seven, absolutely we're really confident," Hawkins said.

"We came up against a really strong opposition (Brisbane) and didn't perform the way we would've liked collectively and as a team.

"But this week presents a new challenge, a new opposition and they play slightly differently, so we look forward to the challenge of being able to play at a high level.

"The more footy we play together as a six or seven we'll continue to be more consistent, but absolutely we're striving to be really dynamic and damaging each week."

Essendon were the flavour of the month before their bye but have been brought back to earth by losses to Richmond and Melbourne - either side of a win over Hawthorn - in their last three outings.

Those defeats have left the Bombers with a 1-5 record against the current top-eight this season.

But the eighth-placed Tigers' shock loss to St Kilda last week has left the finals door ajar and star midfielder Zach Merrett said Essendon sense an opportunity against Geelong.

"You're aware of the situation where you sit on the ladder and you want to be playing finals footy," Merrett said.

"We've been able to beat teams around us and below us, but we've struggled a little bit against those top four to six teams.

"We want to win those games and this week, but for us it's about trying to build our connection and alignment for longer periods of the game and reduce the lulls we've had against those top teams.

"The year as a whole has been super exciting but there's a lot of growth that we need to have to start beating those top teams."

Friday night's match will be Essendon's first home-and-away fixture in Geelong since 1993.

But the Kardinia Park venue holds no fears for the Bombers, who have developed some familiarity with it on recent preseason trips.

"Nothing different this week," Merrett said.

"It feels like we have played there a bit recently and nothing will change whatsoever (in our preparation)."

Up to 18,000 fans will be allowed at GMHBA Stadium under Victorian government COVID-19 restrictions.