Luke Hodge says it’s the ideal time for Essendon to make a statement when they meet Sydney on Saturday.
It’s the first time Swans co-captain Luke Parker will face the Bombers since mocking Dylan Shiel earlier this season.
Parker poked fun at Shiel over his attack on the ball in Essendon’s 58-point loss to the Swans at the SCG in Round 9.
Hodge has called on the Bombers to give Parker a tough time of it when he runs out for his 250th game.
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“He’s hoping that he comes out in his 250th, it’s a nice game for him, he gets 30 touches, they have a nice win, and he goes and celebrates with his teammates and his family,” he told SEN Mornings.
“Essendon … they’ve got to make a stand, and this is the perfect time.
“Sometimes when you’re having a bad season, a disappointing season, and you let a few people down internally and externally like Essendon have this year, you’re looking for something to jump on.
“This bloke had a crack at your teammates as if he ducked his head and second guessed himself and wasn’t courageous – that’s as big an insult as you can get on a footy field between opposition players.”
Hodge would show the vision of the Parker-Shiel incident to Essendon’s playing group before the match as extra motivation.
“I’d be showing that vision pre-game. I’d be showing it in the team meeting on a Thursday,” the dual Norm Smith Medallist said.
“I’d be saying, ‘Don’t go and do anything silly’, in today’s game you can’t do dumb stuff to get suspended but making sure that every time you run past him, he knows you’re there. Any time he’s getting the ball, you’re tackling him and bringing him to ground.
“Yes, it was one act, everyone does it at some time, but I’d be making sure that it’s the toughest game that he’s played in his 250th.
“Making sure he notices that next time they play Essendon, they’re not going to get walked over and if he ever disrespects a teammate like that again, we’re going to go at him.”
Essendon (3-11) will look to put a dent in Sydney’s finals hopes when they do battle at the MCG this weekend.
The Swans are sixth on the ladder with a 9-5 win-loss record.