ESSENDON has launched its plan to renew its rivalry with Carlton by creating an annual 'Good Friday Eve' blockbuster, which it hopes will begin as early as next season.

While the make-up of next year's Good Friday match is not yet known, the Bombers hope to make an MCG encounter with the Blues on the Thursday night prior a yearly contest.

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"We see a great opportunity to bring the Essendon and Carlton rivalry back to life on the big stage and create a standalone event in a time slot that is not currently being utilised," Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell said.

"The Good Friday Eve timeslot is the night before a public holiday, it is supported by both clubs and the MCC and we are very confident we could build it into an iconic match."

Essendon also revealed the two clubs are hoping to incorporate the annual Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal into the encounter.

"(It could) perhaps even launch the event if they believed there might be value in that," Campbell said.

"We are two of the biggest clubs in the AFL – we have both had our challenges, but I am confident we are both building again.

"Together we boast one of the fiercest and oldest rivalries in the game and we believe the Good Friday Eve match can become the next big blockbuster on the AFL calendar."