ESSENDON ruckman David Hille is loath to disturb the Matthew Lloyd-Scott Lucas show, despite the chance to exploit an under-sized St Kilda defence at Telstra Dome today.

The Bombers' two tall targets have booted 26 goals between them in the first three rounds, helping make Essendon the AFL's second-highest scoring team.

"Having Matthew back this year has made a massive difference to our team and to our structure and, in particular, to our forward-line structure," Hille said yesterday.

"He's an exceptional player and he takes a lot of attention, and that frees up other guys like Scotty and the young fellas — our forward line has worked extremely well so far this year.

"It certainly will be a key to winning not only this week but the rest of the season."

The Bombers' attack looms as a particularly potent weapon against a St Kilda defence that is missing key defenders Matt Maguire and Max Hudghton through injury, while Brett Voss is out of favour.

Adding to the Saints' difficulties, the absence of suspended spearhead Fraser Gehrig makes it harder for them to swing the likes of tall forward Justin Koschitzke into defence.

That leaves Sam Fisher with the likely stopping job on Lloyd, while Hille tips utility Jason Blake to be handed the job on Lucas.

It also opens the possibility of Hille floating forward to create a match-up nightmare for the Saints.

But the big man said he was reluctant to interrupt the in-form forward set-up.

"Personally, I like the idea of leaving the forward line to Matthew and Scott and having our smaller forwards and even James (Hird) roving around them," he said.

"Having too many talls down there can take away some of the forward-line pressure which we get so effectively from some of the small guys like Leroy Jetta and Alwyn Davey.

"That's imperative, I think, probably more so than having another taller target."

Hille said the match was vital for the Bombers to ensure they built on the momentum of the first two rounds after the setback of last week's second-half fade-out against Carlton.

"It's imperative to bounce back and have a win this week and secure ourselves in the top eight and set up the first half of the season," he said.

Hille was uncertain whether to expect Luke Ball to line up, with the Saints having selected the co-captain despite doubts over his recovery from a head injury he sustained in round one.

Regardless, he said a St Kilda midfield boasting Robert Harvey, Nick Dal Santo and Lenny Hayes would test their less experienced Bombers counterparts.

"Our midfield, it's improved — it's still young, it's still evolving. We're still getting used to each other and it will take time," he said.

"But probably, two-and-a-half of the three games we've played pretty well so far, so we'd be looking to build on that."

AAP