In 2019 we will be looking back on five key lessons to take away from every Bombers match, thanks to RMIT.

This time we look into Essendon's four-point loss to Collingwood in the 25th Anzac Day game between the sides on Thursday.

1. You can’t afford to play catch-up footy

Essendon’s comeback from 33 points down late in the second term was one the Bombers should certainly be proud of, but it proved just how costly the side’s sluggish start was.

Collingwood is clearly one of the league’s leading premiership contenders and their energetic start against the Bombers added to their impressive form from early in matches throughout the year so far.

Good sides make you pay for your mistakes and that was a key issue for the Dons early in the game when the team’s risky style led to some costly turnovers in the corridor.

The Bombers simply took too long to find their feet. If they can recapture the efforts that saw them hit the ground running early in previous weeks, then they become a very scary proposition for the opposition.

2. Dons are among the best in the clinches

Essendon’s slow start was felt hard in the midfield, with Collingwood entering the first change leading clearances 10 to five and inside 50s 18 to nine. But after that, the Bombers showed great grit and determination on the ball.

A much-improved effort in the guts was a key catalyst for the comeback where Essendon booted eight of the last 11 goals.

The Bombers took it up to the Pies’ star-studded midfield, claiming 35 clearances to Collingwood’s 19 and matching them for inside 50s in the final three quarters.

It was another impressive example of Essendon’s important depth through the midfield and it showed again that the Dons are capable of taking it up to any side when the going gets tough on the ball.

Dylan Shiel was one of Essendon's leading midfielders with 34 disposals, nine inside 50s and seven clearances.

3. Joe is well and truly back

Joe Daniher’s return in last week’s Kick for the Kids game was an encouraging effort after nearly a year out of the senior side and Thursday’s match showed why it was important to have a run and blow off any residual cobwebs.

A lover of the big stage and a past Anzac Medal winner, Daniher was one of the key Bombers behind turning the game in front of the deafening 92,241-strong crowd, finishing third in the medal’s voting.

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@joe_daniher in full flight at a packed MCG. There are few better sights

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Daniher struggled to show his textbook athleticism early last year when restricted by injury, but he seems to have put those times behind him as he ran and leapt freely yesterday to recapture some of his best form with 16 disposals, eight marks (four contested) and four goals.

His booming 60-metre drop punt after the half-time siren and his towering pack mark over two opponents in the third term were clear indicators that he is back and can play a key role in Essendon’s 2019 campaign.

4. Numbers aren’t everything for Stringer

He may just be averaging a little over 12 disposals per game, but Jake Stringer has without doubt been one of the club’s best players throughout the year.

All he needs is a tiny window of opportunity to pounce on the footy and make something magical happen. Stringer is a breath of fresh air in the modern day of textbook AFL football; he is unpredictable, inventive and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Powerful yet classy, Stringer can shake his hips to bustle through an avenue of tackles and emerge on the other side to hit up a teammate in better position.

16 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven marks (three contested), two goals and two goal assists on his 25th birthday on Anzac Day was just the latest brilliant effort in red and black as he continues to set the scene for a huge season.

Stringer flies to clutch a terrific contested mark against the Magpies on Thursday.

5. The Bombers can worry the Cats again

Anzac Day loomed as a key test of where the Bombers sit this year and it is fair to say that they passed it convincingly having outscored last year’s Grand Finalist in three of four quarters.

The next test is just as big; a huge clash with ladder-leader Geelong in next week’s Country Game.

The Cats’ only loss this year was a narrow four-point defeat at the hands of Greater Western Sydney and victories over Collingwood, Adelaide (away), Hawthorn and Melbourne have shown that they are one of the real benchmarks this season.

But despite Geelong’s intimidating form, the Bombers will enter the game with some confidence having convincingly beaten the Cats in their last two battles at the ‘G, including an outstanding 34-point victory last year.

Both teams will be hopeful of getting the chocolates this time around and it should be a cracking contest.

The Bombers proved far too strong for Geelong in last year's Country Game.