Cale Hooker says the Essendon players are "burning" for an opportunity to play finals.
The Bombers haven’t played finals since 2017 and are without a win in September since 2004.
“For me personally, it burns," he said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“I want to play finals and be part of a successful team. It is burning in the group that we want to play finals, that’s all we’re striving towards.
“When we lose or don’t play the way we want it hurts.”
Speaking to Kane Cornes ahead of Essendon’s Friday night clash with Adelaide, the 2014 All Australian acknowledged the club must claim a big interstate scalp.
“We’ve spoken about it a bit over the past couple of years," he added.
“Our travel record has improved a lot. We talk about wherever we play, no matter where we play we’ve got to play the same way.
“That’s what we’ve been working pretty hard on over the past 18-24 months and we’ve got another chance to strike through that.”
Adelaide and Essendon are locked on 36 points and occupy positions seven and eight on the ladder respectively. Hooker says the game is shaping up to be a tight contest.
“We’ve had a big recovery focus this week and we’re looking forward to a big game. It’s going to be a great game, it’s a great challenge.
“We know the Crows are a super dangerous team when they’re up and going. Against Adelaide you can’t give them too many forward 50 entries.”