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Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall are a formidable combination but Essendon coach Ben Rutten believes ruckman Sam Draper will relish taking on St Kilda's ruck duo.

Essendon coach Ben Rutten is confident up-and-coming ruckman Sam Draper will relish the opportunity to take on key St Kilda duo Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall.

Ryder and Marshall have formed one of the AFL's most dangerous ruck pairings in recent years.

If Essendon are to spring an upset in Friday night's clash at Marvel Stadium, they will likely rely upon Draper and ruck partner Andrew Phillips finding a way to limit the gun duo.

"We've been playing a fair chunk of the year with two rucks and Ryder and Marshall are as good a one-two combination as there is around the place. So (Draper and Phillips) are looking forward to it," Rutten said.

"Flip's a pretty experienced ruckman and Drapes is continuing to get a better understanding of what his best footy looks like and how he can consistently replicate that.

"So it's going to be awesome for them. It's another great opportunity for them to work together in tandem but also go up against two really quality ruckmen.

Rutten also pointed to young midfielder/forward Archie Perkins matching up on Patrick Cripps and defender Zach Reid taking on big jobs down back as examples of gaining valuable experience.

"It's (facing top players) just so important for their growth and development," he said.

"They're the experiences that they need to get."

Rutten expected brilliant tap ruckman Ryder to pose a particularly difficult task for 23-year-old Draper, who has played just 33 games.

"Paddy in particular's a really experienced ruckman," he said.

"So (Draper) will have to work his way through it. It's not just all about crash and bash for him.

"There'll be a fair bit of craft and thinking his way through it which I know he's looking forward to."