Essendon assistant coach Alan Richardson says the Bombers have to learn to play high intensity football across four quarters if they are to solidify a spot in the finals this season.

The match was not the shoot-out many had predicted but the first half delivered a finals-like intensity with intense tackling pressure.

However the Bombers looked sluggish when they returned from the main break and were taught a serious lesson by the highly competitive Bulldogs who were able to maintain their strong form for the entire match.

"We got away to a good start but in the second half in particular we didn’t make the most of our opportunities," Richardson said.

"They certainly started to get on top in the midfield in the second half. We were starved of the ball for a fair period of time and I think they ended up with 12 more inside 50s for the game.
"Our forwards also struggled to convert - not so much in terms of shots on goals but just in their attempts to mark the ball. Brian Lake particularly hurt us so that was disappointing."
To read about each quarter in Live Scores simply click here.
Richardson said the Bulldogs’ ability to apply pressure and run down the Bombers players, particularly in attack, contributed to their 45-point victory.

"You have to give the Bulldogs a bit of credit. Their pressure on the ball was enormous," he said.

"We were disappointed with the way our boys used the ball, particularly by foot.

"For the entire game there was always one of the Bulldogs boys were always up our players’ backsides chasing.

"It was their pressure that really won it for them. They were really good."

The loss evens out Essendon’s win/loss ledger to 8–8 – something the side will need to repair over the coming weeks if they are to gain a taste of September action.

"I think it is a really good lesson for our boys in terms of where we need to get to against good quality sides," Richardson said.

"The intensity that we showed in the first half, we need to do for four quarters. We know we can do it because we did it against the Swans and Carlton. You can’t rest against good sides."

The performance of emerging key-position player Michael Hurley was the main positive to take out of the match.

The 19-year-old oozed natural ability, showing his potential to be a dominant player at either end of the ground.

"He was terrific down back. He should be proud of his performance," Richardson said.

"We were struggling to win the ball in the air as a forward group and he went down there and looked likely also.

"He is a very exciting player and will be a terrific player for the future of the club."