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JAKE Melksham says Essendon has not abandoned hopes of its first top-four finish in 13 years but has labelled Saturday night's clash against the Western Bulldogs a "must-win".
And the midfielder is confident his defence will negate former Bomber Stewart Crameri with the loser of the Etihad Stadium battle set to slump to a 2-5 record.
Melksham remains close with the goalkicker, who crossed to the Dogs on a four-year deal worth about $400,000 a season, with the pair dining together on Tuesday.
"It'd be good to have him, but obviously he's not here and he's chosen to leave the footy club and we're looking forward to playing him," Melksham said before the Dons' light run at Tullamarine.
"He is a tough match-up, but I think he knows who'll get him because he's been here for a few years."
No side has earned the double chance after a 2-4 start since eventual premier Sydney in 2005, but Melksham did not shy away from that challenge.
"It's a must-win. We need to get back up into the top eight, we want to be in the top four to be a contender in the finals. Our hard work really has to start from this week," he said.
Jake Melksham in action against the Blues. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia
Star Brendon Goddard and Heath Hocking will return in a major midfield boost, with the tagger's addition allowing Melksham to be released after he was sent to Scott Pendlebury on Anzac Day.
The Dogs injected speedster Jason Johannisen — who the Dons reportedly courted last year — and No.4 pick Marcus Bontempelli along with defenders Tom Williams and Dale Morris.
Veteran Daniel Giansiracusa headlined four omissions.
Jake Melksham at Essendon training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia
Coach Mark Thompson is set to persist with Jake Carlisle in attack despite the struggling 22-year-old's publicised form slump, underpinned by just 3.4 in six matches.
Melksham reiterated Thompson's call for the Bombers' midfield to better supply Carlisle but said the struggling swingman was "in a good headspace".
"Around the club we're just trying to get his confidence up," Melksham, 22, said.
"I've noticed around the club during the week he's not down on himself, he's still the likable Jake that laughs and mucks around and it hasn't affected him too much."
The Bombers are fresh from an eight-day break, which Melksham said enabled them to enjoy an intense match-simulation session on Wednesday.
"The two previous weeks we'd had six-day breaks, so it was more about recovery but internally we've worked hard on our game this week and trying to string together four quarters of good footy and I think that's what we'll do."
The first-round pick praised the Dogs' contested footy under Brendan McCartney, who is searching for his club's first win against Essendon since Matthew Knights was coach and the Dogs were bound for a preliminary final.
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