Essendon champion Scott Lucas says the Bombers can take confidence from the way they adjusted to a North Melbourne plan to slow their ball movement down.

The Kangaroos dominated the marks (125-65) throughout the game, highlighting the way they were able to control the pace of the game.

“It’s just takes the momentum and the speed out of the game because the Bombers like to play an up-tempo game and if you get into that type of game with them, you won’t win … you won’t beat them at their own game,” Lucas said.

“For a vast part of the game it really worked for North, but they (Essendon) were able to get their game going at the right time.

“Therefore for the Bombers to kick 20 goals and get a strong contribution from all of their forwards in a game that didn’t really go their way was pleasing.”

Lucas said the Bombers were able to get the game back on their terms through the clearances where they enjoyed a significant advantage (50-27) particularly in the last quarter (16-1).

“Tom Bellchambers continues to be so important around there,” Lucas said.

“He’s really giving them first use of the ball with his tap work which is great.

“They won the contested ball and dominated the clearances.

“That became their real trademark on the weekend … and that’s what you want to be winning going into, hopefully, a finals series.”

The win sees the Bombers move to eighth spot on the ladder ahead of a clash with the tenth placed Western Bulldogs this Sunday.

“If you want to make the finals you need to win,” Lucas said.

“If you can’t beat the teams around you it’s going to be difficult to make it.

“It should be a fantastic game."