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Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish will form a key part of Essendon's plans to keep their AFL finals dream alive by upsetting Geelong on Friday night.

Essendon star Zach Merrett has lavished praise on emerging midfield partner Darcy Parish as the dynamic duo prepare to take on Geelong's high-powered engine room on Friday night.

Merrett and Parish have enjoyed stellar seasons so far and combined for 78 disposals last week in the Bombers' narrow defeat to ladder-leaders Melbourne.

The prolific onballers are both averaging more than 31 touches a game and shape as key elements of Dons coach Ben Rutten's plans to upset Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, where Cats midfield guns Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Cam Guthrie will be waiting.

Merrett has relished playing alongside Parish and commended the 23-year-old's "amazing" development, especially when he has been afforded more midfield time this season.

"We have a really strong connection as a duo in there and he's someone I love playing with," Merrett said.

"I'm sure he's going to really enjoy playing against Joel (Selwood) and Paddy (Dangerfield) on the weekend - two super players - and every exposure he's getting at the moment he seems to be thriving on.

"His development is going to keep on improving and I'm sure he can be an elite player at the club for a long period of time."

While Merrett signed a bumper new six-year deal with Essendon last month, Parish remains out of contract at the end of the year.

Merrett won't pressure Parish to recommit, but has said he may give his teammate "a nudge or two" in the right direction.

Merrett was the subject of ongoing speculation linking him with moves to rival clubs before putting pen to paper, but said settling his future has not significantly altered his own situation over the last fortnight.

"I get a lot less messages from my mates with headlines and articles, so that's definitely settled down a fair bit, but personally it hasn't changed much," Merrett said.

"It hasn't affected me either way with my performance or the way I've gone about it.

"It is obviously a nice little relief, I guess, off my shoulders and I can move forward, but apart from a few cheeky little messages from my mates that's about it."

Essendon have not played a home-and-away fixture at GMHBA Stadium since 1993 - well before Merrett and Parish were born - and have not won at the venue since 1990.