A red-hot Giants outfit is widely expected to pile misery on the last-placed Bombers at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Essendon (1-16) have yet to break through for a win under interim coach Dean Solomon, having suffered six straight defeats since Brad Scott was sacked in May.
The Bombers are out of finals contention yet again as they search for their third senior coach in five years.
Ladder positions may suggest an easy win for the 11th-placed Giants (8-9), who are in the hunt for a wildcard spot after rousing wins over ladder leaders Fremantle and perennial heavyweights Geelong.
But Laverde, who joined GWS at the end of 2025 after 145 games at Essendon, won't let his new side be lulled into a false sense of security.
"Playing there for a long time, I know the type of times they're in at the moment," Laverde told AAP.
"Coming from a club like Essendon, we had so many passionate fans and passionate people that wanted the best for the club.
"You can understand why people are in a rush to see success there.
"That's the hardest thing about playing footy in Melbourne and the Melbourne bubble.
"I'm sure they'll be looking forward to just putting their best foot forward and trying to get another win.
"The external noise is always going to be there, but it's just how they can try to block that out."
Sunday won't be Laverde's first "reunion" with Essendon, and the Giants defender only needs to point to their round-nine fixture to show how dangerous the Bombers can be.
After losing the territory and contest battle early, a desperate Giants side clawed back a game-high 26-point deficit to win by 14 points.
"We certainly didn't play well that day," Laverde said.
"We felt like we allowed Essendon to start well and we put ourselves on the back foot with a bit of turnover from the back half.Â
"We need to bring that type of game style that we've been playing the last few weeks, with that relentless pressure around the ball."
Interim coach Solomon has swung the axe for Sunday, with Kyle Langford (quad) and Jordan Ridley (managed) headlining four changes.
Laverde is also leaning on his experience navigating last year's injury crisis at the Bombers as the Giants manage a similar predicament.
Young forward Phoenix Gothard's breakout season is over due to a dislocated left shoulder, while in-form ruck Kieren Briggs has been ruled out indefinitely with an infected leg wound.
But defender Lachie Whitfield (concussion) and forward Max Gruzewski (knee) have proven fit, part of four changes made by GWS coach Adam Kingsley.
"I certainly know all about it after last year. We had plenty of boys go down at the Bombers," Laverde said.
"It's just like anything - the next man in, and someone steps up to take their opportunity.
"You've just got to be ready for whatever is thrown at you."
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