Essendon’s coaches will push the players hard during the final two weeks of the season, despite being well out of finals contention.

The Bombers fell by just two points to the Gold Coast last night.

It was a much-improved performance from last week’s 112-point defeat to Adelaide.

Interim Senior Coach Matthew Egan is keen to ensure the side maintains the standard set against the Suns.

“We’re going to drive really hard the next two weeks, it’s really important we don’t drop off,” he said.

“We want to finish really strong so the coaches have spoken a lot about what we’re going to do – it’s going to be to train them super hard.”

The match against Gold Coast was Egan’s first as interim head coach.

“I tried my best to stay really calm and keep coaching the players, keep talking to them,” he said.

“As a line coach I really focus on making sure the players hear my voice and what I’m seeing up in the box.

“I kept the coaches doing the same thing, I’ve got really good support around me.

“I’ve had enormous support in particular Neil Craig and Mark Neeld who just help with the experiences they’ve had.”

Egan wants his players to continue to display the dare and enthusiasm shown in the match against the Suns.

“There is no doubt during the week our message is trying to let them play and take the game on,” he said.

“With that there was some poor turnovers and we got scored against the other way quite easily.

“I thought our defence dropped off a little today. 

“(We want to) keep the freedom in attack, let them play the game play on instinct a lot but hopefully tidy up a few areas.”