Essendon hasn’t had any trouble getting hold of the ball this season. 

The Bombers rank third for total disposals behind Hawthorn and Sydney with Fremantle and West Coast rounding out the top five. 

But it’s what the side does next that is proving an issue. 

The Bombers are ranked fourth for clangers this season behind Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and St Kilda. 

“It’s the same area of the game where we’re getting ourselves into trouble,” Essendon Assistant Coach Mark Harvey said.

Every side turns the ball over but it’s what happens when they do that separates the top sides from those further down the ladder.

The game against Richmond was a perfect case in point. 

Essendon turned the ball over 49 times in the mid arc range (the area of the ground between the two 50 metre lines). 

The Tigers coughed the ball up 61 times, so the Bombers actually caused 12 more turnovers, but… 

“We’re not punishing them on the turnover, we kicked two goals two from those turnovers,” Harvey said. 

“We had 49 turnovers, they kicked eight goals nine. 

“That’s where the game is won and lost.

“Everything else from our point of view, stoppage, clearance point of view – even scores from stoppages, contested ball etc is really good. 

“But once again it’s our inability to punish (the opposition’s) turnover. 

“Or to turn the ball over (ourselves) and get hurt on the scoreboard which is demoralising at times for the team.

“That’s what we’re fighting against at the moment.”