Essendon’s VFL coaches have reviewed Sunday’s final quarter against Frankston thoroughly as they continue to strive for a full four quarter performance.

The Bombers led by 54 points at three-quarter time but a six goal to one final term from the Dolphins reduced the final margin to 23 points.

Assistant coach Dan Jordan said the fade out wouldn’t be ignored.

“You have to pay attention to it; it shows a fair disparity to where our best is and when we’re not on our game,” Jordan said.

“That will be a learning point for us this week and we have reviewed it pretty hard from the first quarter opposed to the last quarter, working out what the differences were and where we can improve moving forward.

“We played really well up until that point, there were some little signs probably through the third quarter that the application wasn’t there as it was in the first half.

“To Frankston’s credit they came out and threw caution to the wind and threw everything at us and our guys looked a little bit shell shocked.

“We have to continue to work on playing four quarters of football, be it the first quarter, be it the last quarter we really have to put together 120 minutes of good football.”

The first quarters have been a problem for the Bombers in recent weeks, but a seven goal to one first term on Sunday ensured the trend didn’t continue.

“Having started poorly the previous two games, it was a big focus to be mentally switched on and start well and we did. It was exactly the sort of start we were after,” he said.

“We changed the warm up a little bit to try and tinker with it, but at the end of the day it really comes down to the players attitude and their individual preparation and warm up to get them mentally ready.

“Certainly when they ran out on Saturday there was a good feeling and winning the first clearance really helped.”

Team care is a big focus of the VFL lineup and seeing every player congratulate debutant Justin Van Unen on his first goal was a highlight of that.

“Jussy came up and played his first game and I think within the first minute he had a mark and goal, it was great to see the boys got around and congratulated him and he finished off with three for a good day,” Jordan said.

Aaron Heppell was named the Bombers best player by the coaches.

“Heppell was again outstanding down back, he had a job on Cavara who is a really dangerous player and I thought he acquitted himself really well,” Jordan said.

“Around the ball it was good to see Cogs get back to some form, Nash Holmes was cracking in as always, Polky was really solid.

“We had some good contributors up forward there was three goals from Mason Redman, Nick Kommer presented all day and probably played his best game for a while.

“It was probably one of those games where individuals didn’t really play four quarters but had some really good patches, so that’s an area for them to work on as well.”

The eighth placed Bombers face a massive challenge against the ninth placed Box Hill this Saturday at Windy Hill from 11am.

A win would move the Bombers two games clear of the Hawks.

“Every game is obviously crucial for us moving forward but when Box Hill put it together they can beat anyone on their day, similar to us our best footy is good enough to match anyone,” Jordan said.

“It will be a really good test for our boys to see what sort of game they bring on the weekend and whether they can apply themselves for a whole four quarters.

“If they do that I have no doubt they can get the result they need.”