The VFL Bombers face a season defining month as they look to secure their spot inside the top eight of the ladder.

Currently in sixth position with five wins and five losses, the Bombers will face Port Melbourne, Frankston, Box Hill and Geelong before another bye in Round 17.

Looking back on the season thus far on Bomber TV, injured defender James Ferry said the Bombers were starting to build some momentum.

“I think we started off the season pretty well, we had that first loss against Werribee but then a couple of big wins against North Ballarat and Collingwood,” Ferry said.  

“Now we are starting to get into sixth gear and starting to move along which is good.”

Ferry was joined on the panel by fellow defender Aaron Heppell, who is the only VFL listed player to play all 10 matches this season.

“I think it’s just the young group we have at the moment that is really working well at stages, we are just lacking that consistency of playing good footy,” Heppell said.

“But when we do gel we are pretty hard to stop, there are good signs at this stage.”

Ferry was selected in the Victorian state squad, but missed the game and hasn’t played since round six after injuring his knee against Coburg.

The 21 year-old is hopeful of making a return within the next month.

“It’s a bit unfortunate going down with a bit of a knee, it’s been character building on the sideline watching the boys, it shouldn’t be too much longer and I’ll get back out there,” Ferry said.

“At best maybe just a couple of weeks, I’m starting to really get some strength and some movement back in the knee, I can’t wait to get back out there.”

Also on the sidelines is the Bombers longest serving VFL listed player, Jacob Thompson who has been missing with an ankle injury.

Likely to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery, Thompson’s experience and leadership has not been lost to his teammates after taking on a new role with the side including on the bench on game day.

"It’s a shame with Thomo, he has a lot of knowledge and leadership to bring to the group and the good thing about that is he is now offering us more off the field helping with the younger guy’s development,” Ferry said.

“That’s a real asset; it’s pretty much like having another coach out there.”

Ferry and Heppell touch on the impact and development of Aaron Francis, Yestin Eades, Jack Langford and Nash Holmes has had on the side.

Heppell nominated last weekend’s win over Werribee as the team’s season highlight, with Ferry saying Conor McKenna and Nash Holmes combining with Sam Michael to goal was the individual highlight of the season.

The upcoming match against the eighth placed Port Melbourne at Windy Hill is massive to try and push ahead of the chasing pack trying to climb inside the eight.

“It’s a crucial game for us, over the past couple of years we have come home really strong late in the year,” Ferry said.

“After the win last week it was good for us to gel together as a group and know that we can come from behind. That’s given us some fuel to really push the back end of the year and really be contenders.”

Heppell said his goal for the remainder of the season was simple, to try and play consistent football.

“Over the years I haven’t played too much VFL footy, I’m really enjoying the opportunity I have got this year and I just want to put in a solid second half to the year and hopefully play finals footy,” Heppell said.

After Port Melbourne, the three games remaining before the final bye of the season present a vast array of challenges.

“All three will be tough games” Heppell said.

“Frankston gave it to Footscray on the weekend so they are no pushovers at all and Box Hill (Hawthorn’s affiliate) and Geelong was a cracking game on the weekend.

“There is no reason why we couldn’t win all four, but the boys will have to bring their A-game.”