In the wake of a shock 52-point home defeat to St Kilda on Sunday, Essendon are hopeful they can get things back on track when they venture interstate this week. 

The challenge of Fremantle on the road presents an opportunity for the Bombers to reestablish a healthy position heading into the second half of the year, especially off the back of disappointing consecutive losses following their 3-0 start.

Second-year midfielder-turned-defender Chloe Adams pointed to the group’s unwavering connection as a major factor in returning to winning ways, expecting the energy of the Club’s youngsters to provide a lift in the coming weeks.

Adams also touched on the pride felt in her own development, building well off a busy pre-season that elevated her into a frequent starter for the Dons after registering the four games in her debut campaign last year. 

Adams on… reflections from defeat, the Windy Hill experience

Obviously, we were very disappointed with what we put out there on the weekend.

We had such high expectations throughout the week to give it our absolute all, but obviously it didn't go our way, so we're looking forward to this week so we can bounce back. 

We love our Dons fans. They're a huge part of the reason why we play and we're super grateful for their support, they're always showing up to our games no matter if it's a win or a loss, they're always there and always rallying behind us, so we're very grateful for them. 

Adams on… developing into year two, learning multiple positions

It’s quite a quick game and you know, I've moved around a couple of positions, gone from forward to down back, which is pretty cool. 

I had a bit of a run in the midfield on the weekend, which was different, but it's good to keep that versatility and keep evolving my game.

I’m super proud of myself (for how I’m developing).

I think I put in a pretty big off-season and really wanted to make sure I was consistent to start the year off, and I feel like that's definitely what I've done. 

My strengths in my game are definitely my contest work and my tackle pressure as well, so that's something I like to bring, whether it is in the midfield, down back, wherever ‘Woody’ or the team needs me. I'm happy to go anywhere and bring that.

I put in huge hard yards over the off-season and throughout pre-season as well. To have a consistent spot in this great team’s an absolute honour.

I'd just like to stay versatile. I mean, I'm happy to play anywhere. 

Adams on… Bonnie Toogood’s return, moving forward 

It was huge (having Bonnie back). 

I think we missed her a bit, that tall (marking option) down forward, but she was quite versatile as well on the weekend - she had a bit of a run in the midfield, down back as well. It’s good to have her back and her leadership's huge for us as well.  

I definitely like to sort of move on very quickly from (a loss). It's not something you want to dwell on, you know. You can look back at all the vision and see what the improvements are, but also see the positives as well.

What you’ve got to do is pretty much just get it out of your mind as quick as you can and look to the next week.

We obviously don't want to go off our own routines. If it's a home game, so home games, we sort of prep the same, but then interstate, it's quite hard to do that.  

We still try our best to stick to what we usually would do before a game - individually for me, as people know, I like to sleep in my kit the night before games. Those little things are definitely leaning towards helping us.

Adams on… team connection, impact of youngsters

It’s huge, I think that's something we really pride ourselves on is our connection.

We're a very tight knit group and the challenges that come our way, we're always ready to tackle them. It never really pulls us apart, we're always going to be tight knit together.

That connection piece is something we're really bringing into this next game against Freo. 

The (kids) are so awesome. I think they're just such energy bunnies, like they always bring the energy, always bring the smiles, but they're also great humans and great players as well, and I think they've brought their strengths to our team across the first five weeks. 

We’re keen to see what they can bring in the future as well.