Essendon can take encouragement from its opening to the season according to tough midfielder, Ben Howlett. 

The Bombers lost narrowly to Sydney and then beat Hawthorn to begin 2015. 

“We really did play some great footy in the first few rounds but as a team this season we’ve been quite disappointing,” Howlett told Sportsday. 

“We’ve been underperforming for most of the year, myself included. 

“We’ve shown in the past that we can be a good side. 

“You look back to 2013, I think we were playing for top spot in about round 18. 

“We’re still right up there, we’ve just had a very bad year with guys underperforming.” 

Two players to have bucked the trend are Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley. 

Hooker has had 31 shots at goal in the last eight weeks while Hurley is in the frame for All-Australian selection. 

“Those two have been phenomenal this year,” Howlett said. 

“You can probably add Travis Colyer and Zach Merrett as well. 

“Dyson Heppell has also been great. 

“We do have some positives to come out of this year.” 

For the first time in several seasons, the Bombers will enter this year’s National Draft in a strong position. 

“Hopefully we can pick up some nice young players,” Howlett said.

“It’s my job and the other senior guys to develop those guys as quickly as possible and make sure we can make them competitive for next season. 

“There is lots to build from and I think we’re in for a big 2016.”