It was a pre-season objective that’s now being achieved.

Hindered by a leaky defence in recent seasons, Essendon made no secret of the fact it had to tighten the screws if it was to improve in 2019.

And while things didn’t go to plan early, it can now lay claim to having the league’s best-performing defence.

Since the start of round four, no team has conceded less points than the Bombers, who have averaged 66.1 points against. 

The current top-four sides have the next best figures - Geelong (66.9), Adelaide (68.2), Collingwood (70) and GWS (70.7) – putting Essendon in elite company. 

To top it off, the Bombers are also conceding the least points from stoppages and give away the second-least points per inside 50 (39.2 per cent). 

So, what’s been behind the turnaround?

First and foremost, a settled back six.

Since the inclusions of Cale Hooker and Mason Redman in round four, the duo has linked up with Michael Hurley, Patty Ambrose, Conor McKenna and Adam Saad in nine consecutive games.

And individually, there’s so much to love about each member of the group. 

Hurley, at the age of 29 and with two All-Australian selections already to his name, is remarkably in career-best form, averaging 22 disposals and career-high averages for rebound 50s (seven) and marks (nine).

You could argue it’s the same case for Hooker, Hurley’s partner-in-crime, who’s recording career-high averages for disposals (20), marks (nine), one percenters (seven) and rebound 50s (five) at the age of 30.

There’s no doubt Ambrose is in the form of his life, currently holding the mantle as the league’s best one-on-one defender with just 7.1 per cent of contests lost.

Youngster Redman has cemented his position, impressing with his ability to read the play, intercept and make sound decisions under pressure.

Such is his composure, it’s hard to believe the 21-year-old is just 14 games into his AFL career.

The damage Saad and McKenna can do isn’t news to anyone, but in case we needed a reminder, it came on Friday night against Hawthorn.

Twelve of Saad’s 20 possessions came from intercepts – a personal best – while he left several Hawks in his wake with a devastating run that led to his first goal as a Bomber.

Like Saad, McKenna is given a licence to thrill and did so with 25 disposals, nine rebound 50s, seven bounces and a cheeky move from his Gaelic days.

No other player in the competition has taken more bounces than Essendon’s dashing Irishman.

After a heavy season-opening loss to GWS, senior coach John Worsfold said it would take time for the Bombers to nail tweaks made to their defensive system.

Maybe that time is now, but we’ll get a better idea over the next fortnight with big tests against West Coast (Optus Stadium) and their round one opponent (Marvel Stadium) to come.