THEY are two of Essendon's biggest weapons, but that doesn't mean there isn't some healthy competition between Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Orazio Fantasia.
The goalkicking small forwards will be critical to the Bombers' hopes in 2020, particularly given Fantasia's improved fitness after a troubled campaign last season.
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Hip concerns limited the speedy goalkicker, and required off-season surgery, but he has regained his movement and pace and looks set for a far improved season in the red and black.
McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked 32 goals last season but plays better with Fantasia by his side, with the pair pushing each other to reach pressure targets in the forward half.
"It's great when we're both out there fit together. We had a session today and we just know where each other are on the ground, and we give each other that energy to strive and put some pressure on. We challenge ourselves who lays more tackles and puts on more pressure," he told AFL.com.au at the launch of new panel show Yokayi Footy.
"It's good that we have that rivalry and that it helps us as a team and it helps our teammates. It helps us compete with each other and play our best footy.
"The goals [column of our statistics] is probably more important, but it's good to work really well together."
Fantasia kicked 39 goals in his breakout season in 2017, the same year McDonald-Tipungwuti moved into the forward line and booted 34 goals.
Fantasia's past two years have been affected by injury concerns, and last year he considered a move back to South Australia during the Telstra AFL Trade Period.
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He won enough votes to be in Essendon's leadership group this year but stepped away from the role to get his body in strong shape.
"He had a few issues with his injuries there but I think he's coming along well now. His leadership's really good on and off the field and he just wanted to focus on his football. He's helping kids along the way," McDonald-Tipungwuti said.
McDonald-Tipungwuti enjoyed a faultless pre-season until a minor calf injury kept him out of training ahead of the Marsh Community Series.
He returned to play a half against the Eagles in Essendon's first pre-season hit-out, and had a full game against Geelong earlier this week, although he was quiet.
The 26-year-old said despite an injury-hit pre-season, the Bombers were ready to face Fremantle in round one.
"The team itself is really good and we're building this new culture now where everybody has a go and I'm really excited to see how the team goes," he said.
"We have different staff and different coaching roles, so I'm looking forward to developing my game as we develop as a younger group."
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The launch of Yokayi Footy signalled a new era for the Indigenous broadcaster, with former Adelaide, Sydney and Collingwood player Tony Armstrong, triple Brisbane premiership player Darryl White and AFLW advocate Bianca Hunt to front the show.
Yokayi Footy will also see AFL players regularly join its panel.
"I can't wait to see how it is, it's going to be fun," McDonald-Tipungwuti said.
"It's a good opportunity for the young boys who are from remote communities to go and have a chat a bit about footy and have a laugh at the same time."
