ADELAIDE assistant David Teague has aspirations to be a senior coach, but right now his focus is on helping the Crows break a 19-year premiership drought.

The 36-year-old is one of the contenders to fill the vacant position at Gold Coast after honing his craft with West Coast, St Kilda and the Crows in assistant coaching roles.

He was also the head coach at the Northern Bullants in the VFL.

"I'm really keen on what Adelaide's doing at the moment, and I think we're in a really good position and I'm enjoying my role at the moment," Teague said on Friday.

"I've got great belief in this group right now, and we're in a position where we've got some things to continue to get better."

Key defender Daniel Talia (groin) and winger David Mackay (corked thigh) will take their place in the side for Saturday night's clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Both players completed Friday morning's light training session at Football Park.

"Everyone got through so we'll go in as selected at this stage," Teague said.

"They had to get through the main session and they did that very well."

All three emergencies – Paul Seedsman, Wayne Milera and Harrison Wigg – trained with the team on Friday.

Teague wouldn't reveal which emergency would be travelling to Melbourne.

Talia is likely to get the first crack at stopping Bombers spearhead Joe Daniher.

"Daniel's been a very good player for us and done a very good job on lots of players in the past," Teague said.

"I'm guessing him or Jake Lever, and Alex Keath went to (Port Adelaide forward) Charlie Dixon when (Talia) was a little bit sore."

The ladder-leading Crows have a six-point gap on their nearest rival and have locked in a top-four spot.

Meanwhile, the Bombers are clinging to eighth with a pack of teams hot on their heels.

It's also the first game for the Bombers since former captain Jobe Watson announced during the week he will retire at the end of the season.

But Teague believes playing in the finals will be a bigger motivation for the opposition.

"I think a finals spot is a greater, that's something the players will be more interested in," Teague said.

"I've got no doubt they have great respect for Jobe, but playing finals, against the top team, they'll be pumped up.

"We'll be pumped up as well to play well this week."