GIANTS co-captain Phil Davis is well known for his methodical pre-game scouting of his upcoming opponents, but his study for Sunday's clash with Essendon has had some recent interruptions.

With potential opponents Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker both ruled out of the season-opener with calf injuries, Davis has put away his notes on the pair of star Bombers and switched his focus to other potential match-ups.

The 28-year-old key defender, who was desperately unlucky not to make last year's Virgin Australia All Australian team, let alone the original 40-man squad, will likely take on Mitch Brown or Shaun McKernan in what shapes as an exciting opening round fixture.

Essendon's forward line is obviously weakened by the absence of its best tall targets, but the team will still contain a host of dynamic smaller and medium-sized players such as Jake Stringer, Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti inside 50.

Davis told AFL.com.au on Tuesday that even without Daniher and Hooker, the Bombers have a dangerous set-up in their forward half.

"Joe and Cale weren't in the forward line last year when we played them at home and they were still able to kick a lot of goals, so we'll have to be at our best to limit their scoring," he said.

"You want the best players playing and it's disappointing to see Joe and Cale not there. We want the best players in the competition out there running around to make our product even better.

"For me, I was obviously planning to play on Joe until the other day, so I just have to make sure I'm really thorough and diligent with my research on guys like Brown, or McKernan, or Stringer." 

With Daniher missing and Hooker scoreless after spending time in defence last time out, the Bombers beat the GIANTS by 35 points to hand them a fourth-straight loss, a game that sparked the GIANTS' recovery.

Stringer and Mark Baguley booted three goals apiece in a low scoring game that Davis missed with concussion.

He said the GIANTS' chances of reversing that result hinged on their preparation.

"We'll look at some footage to see if they deliver the ball (inside 50) any differently, or if our positioning has to be any different," he said.

"Obviously Joey is such a great aerial player but also great on the ground and is such a double threat.

"But McKernan is equally capable overhead and whoever they go with will pose a different threat that we'll have to look at and work out the best way to beat them.

"We feel as though our back six or seven did some pretty great stuff last year.

"We know that sides like to think about us as much as we worry about what they're going to do, so we're confident and settled and think we're going to be hard to play against."

The GIANTS will be without the athletic Nick Haynes (back) or Aidan Corr (groin) for the match after both had an interrupted pre-season, with Sam Taylor and Lachie Keeffe set to help Davis in the key defensive posts.

The young West Australian Taylor's debut season was cut short by a hamstring injury last year, but he's highly regarded by the GIANTS because of his competitiveness and cool head in the back half.

"Sam is a terrific young player and we've been super-impressed by him," Davis said.

"Obviously he's a bit raw, but his performances last year were fantastic and his two JLT Community Series games were very strong.

"We expect him to play a pretty significant role throughout the season. We don't expect him to be a world-beater as a second-year player, but I think our fans will be pleased with the type of player we've got."