Essendon ruckman, David Hille, has made it clear the Bombers mean business this season and believes a spot in the top eight is a realistic aim.

Hille said he believes the Bombers can add three more wins to Essendon’s eight from last season and be a finals contender come September.

“The top eight is where we want to be. It is what everyone is saying at this time of the year but that is what we want,” Hille said

“You need a 50/50 win/loss record in order to be in this position and I think winning three more games would be an attainable improvement for our side.

“We have come a long way and we have a long way to go so it will be an interesting year to see how we go.”

The action kicks off next Sunday when Essendon make the trip over to Adelaide to take on Port Adelaide in their Round 1 encounter.

Following the solid pre-season form displayed by a competitive Power outfit, Hille said the match promises to be a tight contest.

“It is a tough start to the season playing Port Adelaide in Adelaide,” Hille said.

“They are always a very well organised team and it is made that little bit more difficult in having to travel to Adelaide.

“Having said that, we always get great support over there so it will be interesting to see how it goes.”

Despite a less than promising win/loss record against Port Adelaide, Hille is confident Essendon can deliver on expectations.

“We have obviously not played as well as we would have liked in some of those games but I think they are a very well organised team and well coached so it is going to be a very good challenge for us,” Hille said.

A number of players are vying for positions for Round 1. Among them is young-gun, Michael Hurley, who Hille has tipped for a possible debut.

“He was fantastic on the weekend. I thought he put his best foot forward and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was selected,” Hille selected.

On a personal level, despite missing several weeks with a hamstring injury over pre-season, the 27-year-old is looking to replicate the form which earned him the Crichton Medal last season.

 “I missed a couple of weeks with a hamstring which wasn’t ideal but I have played most of the pre-season games and I feel pretty confident in my body so I don’t think it is too much of a problem,” he said.

Hille defended the form of Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas who have received some early season criticism for their NAB Cup form.

Despite the players turning 31 and 32 respectively this season, Hille said he was confident they can add to the depth of the Essendon line-up.

 “Scott has had an injury-interrupted pre-season and I would have thought it would take him a few games to get going but I think he will be right for Round 1,” Hille said.

“I think Matthew has played alright in his game style and I am confident he can perform during the season.”