GEELONG star Tom Hawkins has called for patience as the Cats continue to experiment using All Australian defender Harry Taylor as a key forward.

Taylor has been effective as a pinch-hitter in attack previously, but has managed just one goal in two pre-season competition games since being redeployed as a permanent forward.

Hawkins told reporters on Thursday he felt the new attacking partnership was going well, but definitely needed time to develop.

The key forward said the Cats would continue to persist with Taylor in attack.

"We're certainly going to need more time together in game situations, because you can't get a feel for how each other moves in regard to running patterns in training," Hawkins said.

"When the heat's on in a game, that's when you start to really develop some rapport.

"I've always found it hard to play well in pre-season games, and for us it's about getting continuity."

Hawkins went goalless against the Crows in the club's second pre-season hit-out, but is not reading too much into his form.

Hawkins looks noticeably leaner, and admits he dropped a few kilograms over the summer to prepare himself for 2017.

"I missed a bit of the start of pre-season with minor knee surgery, but I feel like I've got enough work in and I feel fit," he said.

"I'm confident with how things have progressed."

Hawkins joined Bomber Zach Merrett as the key ambassadors for the 2017 Powercor Country Festival, ahead of the clubs' match-up in Bendigo on Sunday.

The pair had the opportunity to show off their whip-cracking skills as part of the launch at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

Essendon vice-captain Merrett returns to the Bombers' line-up after sitting out the club's previous JLT Series game against Gold Coast along with skipper Dyson Heppell, David Zaharakis and veteran James Kelly.

"The first two JLT games were a test for younger players and it gives them a chance to have a run around and taste AFL footy in a sense," Merrett said.

"As the last game closes it's time to crack the whip, so to speak, and have a good crack against Geelong, so we're looking forward to the hit-out."