Essendon’s ability to hold on to leads late in close games has improved dramatically through sheer hard work according to defender Mark Baguley. 

The Bombers have dropped three notable close games against Hawthorn, Melbourne and Geelong, yet made a mends last weekend with a two-point win over Port Adelaide.

“Obviously we’ve lost a couple of close games,” Baguley said.

“On the weekend when they came back hard we just had to keep our composure.”

“We’ve been through a lot of edits of what to do in the last few minutes and we’re very well drilled at those things now and it was good for us to hang on for a win.”

The 27-year-old has notoriously developed into the tackle machine down back for the Bombers, laying some huge defensive efforts in the win over Port Adelaide last weekend.

“It was a bit of a wet night so there was going to be a lot of contested footy and tackling,” said the small defender.

“It’s been a big focus of the playing group to stick the tackles and not let the opposition get the ball out.”

One tackle that he hasn’t forgotten about was the holding-the-ball non-decision for his effort on Angus Monfries late in the game that eventuated in a Power goal.

AFL Umpires boss Wayne Campbell later come out and conceded the decision was an error.

“That’s about the thousandth time I’ve been asked about it,” Baguley said.

“I wasn’t really sure what happened, I just lunged at the tackle and I wasn’t sure if he got a handball off or what happened then I looked up and it was a goal and there was no free kick so I just kept playing.”

The defensive-nut said while they enjoyed the win the team had turned it’s attention to Sunday, labelling the clash against Collingwood a must win if the Bombers are to continue to build for a finals berth.

The Bombers sit just one win behind Collingwood who are currently sixth on the ladder.

“Obviously the feeling is very upbeat, it was a big win against Port Adelaide,” he said.

“Hopefully we can have a big win against Collingwood on the weekend and start to get a bit of consistency in our game and make a big push for the finals.”

“It’s s big game for us, we need to keep winning to play finals,” he said.

The mature-age recruit shed some light on a different challenge that he could be facing against the Pies for this weekends match.

“I usually play on Jamie Elliot, but I think he might be injured at the moment. So maybe Jarryd Blair or someone like that.”

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