Essendon's midfield group has improved this season despite the absence of those serving season-long bans, North midfield coach Josh Drummond says.

While not reflective of the ladder, the Bombers have shown promising signs even without seasoned campaigners such as Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell, Brent Stanton and Tom Bellchambers rolling through the middle.

Drummond named the core midfield unit North had to be cautious of this Saturday, singling out skipper Brendon Goddard and David Zaharakis as players that had stepped up in the absence of the 12 suspended Bombers.

"I think they all have (improved) to an extent. Zaharakis looks like he's playing a fair bit more inside this year and he's really relished that role," Drummond told NMFC.com.au on Thursday.

"Goddard organises and can play a number of roles – he can go behind the ball, he can play inside, outside and he's an elite user of the ball.

"They've brought Darcy Parish back in this week, who was a high draft pick last year, (Matthew) Leuenberger is a quality ruckman, (Adam) Cooney, (Zach) Merrett – there's definitely talent there."

The Roos will enter Saturday's clash against Essendon on the back of a six-day break, while the Bombers have had the full week off to prepare.

Bombers coach John Worsfold said after his side's 81-point loss to the Sydney Swans last Saturday that having two consecutive six-day breaks "took its toll", adding the extra preparation ahead of the North clash would "make a difference".

Worsfold's men matched the third-placed Swans in the first half, trailing by 17 points at the main break before fading out after the main break.

Gifted youngsters Parish and Kyle Langford were both rested from that clash but have been recalled to take on the Roos.

"With those guys [Parish and Langford] coming back in they're going to be fresh, they've already got the young legs," Drummond said.

"We expect them to be running on top of the ground."

Drummond said the even contribution from the Roos' midfielders was the most pleasing aspect so far this season, and hoped the trend would continue.

Such is the evenness of the North group that no player has accumulated more than 30 disposals in the first seven rounds.

"We're spreading the load offensively, we're spreading the load defensively (and) guys are playing multiple roles," Drummond said.

"We're not relying on any individual, we're not relying on anything in particular but what we're relying on is an even contribution, and that's what we've got."