ESSENDON is enjoying a flying start to 2012, but the club is intent on learning from last year when it wasted a strong opening to the season with a mid-year form slump.

In James Hird's first season as coach, the Bombers had five and a half wins after eight rounds but then lost their next five games, starting with a defeat at the hands of Richmond in the Dreamtime at the G game.

The Bombers' early-season form this year has been praised in the lead-up to Saturday night's game against the Tigers, but Hird said the memory of last year's flat patch was pushing his players to avoid complacency.

"We're very aware that this time last year we were on five and half wins and at the moment we're on six," Hird said on Friday.

"We're very aware what happened this time last year and we're pretty keen to make sure it doesn't happen like it happened last year."

Hird said the first seven rounds had given teams the ability to dissect each other's game style. One of Essendon's next challenges, he said, was to continue playing well with its game plan under more scrutiny.

"It's very early in the season and sides are starting to work out how each other play," Hird said.

"There's a bit of a form guide of how the sides want to play and it will be interesting to see how every side plans for the teams they're playing."

The addition of Michael Hurley will help the Bombers' cause against the Tigers, with the star 21-year-old returning from a three-week layoff with a hamstring strain.

But Hird indicated Hurley might be used in a defensive role against Tigers' spearhead Jack Riewoldt, who Hurley blanketed in a best on ground performance in round 16 last year.

"There's a good chance he'll play there," Hird said.

"We're still going through exactly what our match-ups are today, but we thought Michael was very good as a full-back last year so there's a chance that'll happen."

A number of other senior-listed players will return in the VFL with affiliate Bendigo Gold on Saturday, including Scott Gumbleton and Alex Browne.

Hird said Essendon's spate of injuries had now eased, but defender David Myers remains on the sidelines with a hamstring strain that has taken longer than expected.

"We're hoping he will play next week against GWS, but if he doesn't it'll definitely be against Melbourne in two weeks," Hird said.

Callum Twomey is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.