Essendon senior coach Ben Rutten spoke to the media via video link ahead of Sunday's crunch clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
Here are the five key takeaways from his media conference.
1. Truck not surprised by rapid development
It was clear since he first took the reins that Rutten wanted the Bombers to be a dependable 'blue-collar' side which had no ceilings on its growth.
While a shaky 2-6 start after round eight had many questioning this view, the Dons now sit on the cusp of securing an unlikely finals appearance.
When pressed on whether he was surprised, Rutten said he wasn’t, given the position the Bombers find themselves in has come from their hard work to improve.
“I said from the start of the year that I knew this group had a love for growth and improvement in them,” Rutten said.
“We’ve designed a program to be able to extract the best they can be and to get them to reach their capacity.
“I didn’t know what that was going to be (at the start of the year) but I think the programs we’ve put in place and the environment we’re trying to create here is all about that.”
2. Big stakes game experience
The equation is simple for the Bombers on Sunday: win and they’re in.
In what will be a stern test for his young group, Rutten believes any high-pressure stakes contest is positive for growth.
And the senior coach is backing his players to cope with the situation.
"It's a really good one for our group to experience," he said.
"We understand that this stage of the season there are different kinds of distractions, so hopefully the preparation that we've been doing throughout the season about how we continue to stick to the process and stick to our style of play (pays off).
“This is just another opportunity for us to be able to manage that, cope with it and still be able to play our best footy.”
3. Walla’s wellbeing a priority
Forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will not be rushed back into playing after stepping down from AFL duties due to personal reasons.
Despite being pressed on an answer for when the 28-year-old would rejoin the Dons’ best 22, Rutten said McDonald-Tipungwuti had no timeline to return but was working through a program to ensure he maintains fitness.
"First and foremost, ... (it) was about Anthony's wellbeing as a person," he said.
"Anthony won't play in the AFL team this week and we'll just continue to manage him, putting him in the forefront of our decision making so that won't change this week.
"He's going really well, he's getting some really good training in, he's enjoying his time at the club.
"So that's the way we're going to be managing Anthony."
4. Jones on cusp of returning
After being ruled out of playing this week by head of high performance Sean Murphy, Rutten elaborated on key forward Harrison Jones’ progress from a foot stress injury.
Jones hasn’t featured for the Dons in five weeks and has slowly but surely built up to the stage where he has re-joined main training.
When questioned on whether the 20-year-old was close to playing sooner rather than later, Rutten said game time was the next step for Jones, but not until he can get through training unabated.
“We caught that early,” he said.
“We’re building him back up. He trained the other day and he’s running around pleading his case.
“We’re going to take more of a conservative approach with Jonesy (given) his age, and the type of injury he’s got.
“We’ll increase his output at training today, continue to monitor that and when it gets to a stage where we think game time is the next step, we’ll do that.
“Hopefully we see him really soon.”
5. Pies a tricky task
Despite being placed 16th on the ladder, a refreshed Pies outfit won't be taken lightly.
Interim Collingwood coach Robert Harvey has implemented a run-and-gun game-plan which has resulted in the Pies claiming scalps against West Coast, Richmond and Melbourne during his stint.
Despite running out comfortable 24-point winners in round six’s Anzac Day clash, the Bombers will have to bring their A-game on Sunday.
“Collingwood have been in close games and have been playing aggressive football,” Rutten said.
“That’s what we’ve noticed since Robert Harvey has taken over is a bit more aggression, moving the ball through the corridor quickly and giving their forwards a really good look.
“They get on some good runs and hit the scoreboard well, so we’re certainly preparing for them to be at their best.”
