Fresh off a breakthrough victory, Essendon now faces another significant test as it prepares to take on a red-hot Hawthorn outfit. With confidence restored, the Bombers will be looking to match last week's intensity and prove they can back up their best against one of the competition's form sides.

Solomon on… backing it up against Hawthorn

"We've got a lot of respect for Hawthorn," he said.

"Our biggest challenge is reproducing what we delivered on the weekend."

"Our pressure, contest and team defence has been our focus for six or seven weeks now.”

"The difference on the weekend was that we were able to sustain it for longer. The passion and spirit around the things we value were really evident."

“The weekend gave us evidence that we're on the right path, but now we've got to do it again."

Solomon on… what the win meant

"I was just really happy for the players, staff, supporters, members and sponsors," he said.

"They've all been working incredibly hard, so to get a little bit of reward was fantastic."

Solomon on… selection

Essendon will be forced into at least two changes, with Kyle Langford suspended and Xavier Duursma’s season over due to a hamstring injury.

"There are probably six or seven players putting their hand up," he said.

"That's a credit to Cam Joyce and the VFL program."

Solomon on… Nate Caddy's health

"He's been fully cleared by the doctors and will train today," Solomon said.

"They've told us there's no risk, so we trust the medical advice and he'll be good to go."

"He's confident on the field, but as a person he's very considered," he said.

"He's asked plenty of questions, understands there's no risk and is really confident."

Solomon on… Darcy Parish’s response in the VFL

"We liked his second half especially," Solomon said.

"His pressure and tackling really lifted, which was exactly what we wanted to see. He went back with the right attitude and gave himself every chance to be considered again."