Essendon’s interim Coach Matthew Egan says skill errors were costly in the side’s 27-point loss to Richmond.

On a slippery night the Bombers kept pace with the Tigers for much of the first half, but six goals to two after the major break proved the difference.

“It felt like we were in the game a fair bit but probably didn’t capitalise when we had our chances,” Egan said.

“The third quarter was a good example, I think we were 9-3 inside 50’s but our last kick let us down.

“When we did have that momentum we’d make a skill error and they would punish it back the other way.

“They were scoring from turnovers and we couldn’t.”

After suffering some big losses to the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide, Essendon has responded in the last fortnight.

Last week the side went down narrowly to Gold Coast and despite falling short against the Tigers there were some positive signs.

The Bombers matched it with Richmond in the contested possession count and laid more tackles (78-69).

“It felt like the effort was good again which is important,” Egan said.

“The weeks before it felt like our first halves were good but when we were tested we’d fall off a cliff. 

“Now it feels like even when we are tested, even late in the game tonight, it felt like we were still playing really aggressive footy.”