Shaun McKernan has followed up his impressive performance against Gold Coast with another solid match against Richmond.

On a wet night at the MCG, McKernan edged Tigers big man Ivan Maric in hit-outs (31-26).

“You’ve just got to keep pushing yourself… the ground is a bit heavy and you’ve got to get from contest to contest,” McKernan said.

“Playing against Ivan tonight it was a good challenge, he was good at pushing from contest to contest so I just tried to match him with that.”

McKernan has been elevated from the rookie list on two occasions this season and he made the most of his opportunity against the Tigers.

He ended the night with 15 possessions, two marks and a goal.

The Bombers kept pace with Richmond for most of the night, but McKernan said poor disposal at times proved costly.

“We cost ourselves in opportunities that we didn’t finish and then turning the ball over in crucial areas let them set up their attack and get easy goals,” he said.

“We matched them in contested ball, I think they’re number three or four in the comp for that so that’s a good effort by us.”

Essendon play Collingwood next Sunday in the final home and away game of the season.

“A win would be a crucial thing for us so we could take some good momentum into pre-season,” McKernan said.

“The main thing is just everyone playing their role, having the buy-in, finishing the season off well because obviously it’s been a tough year so that will be the main thing.”