The first half of Friday night's clash with the Bulldogs produced some of the best football Essendon has played this year according to assistant coach Ashley Prescott.
Speaking on Weekend Rewind he said the team was very good defensively and the intensity was up in the first and second quarters.
""It is a four quarter game though and in the third and fourth quarter we were sadly behind the Bulldogs and I think their kicking efficiency and overall skill really stood out and I think that's an area we need to get better,"" Prescott said.
""They chased exceptionally well and had great pressure all over the ground.
""Overall our inability to mark the ball inside 50m and have shots on goal was probably the difference.
""The Bulldogs are sensational down back and (Brian) Lake is playing unbelievable football and we couldn't seem to get the ball past him, which is probably our midfield's fault and the people who are kicking the ball in, but a little bit goes back to our forwards as well.
""I think we showed we can match them but the game also showed that we have a hell of a lot of work to do and on our kicking inparticular.""
To watch Prescott on Weekend Rewind click here.
Prescott heaped praise on the aggression and efforts of third gamer Michael Hurley who played both forward and back. He says the selection committee now have a big decision on where to play him.
""That will be one of those things where we will wait and see. I think he is primarliy a defender but his impact, aggression and ability to take a mark up forward is a real bonus for us. It depends on what we do with Cale Hooker, potentially he (Cale) could return to the backline.""
Prescott rated the best players naming Fletcher, Welsh and Lovett but said the side lacked four quarter contributors.
Weekend Rewind also features an interview with Brent Prismall in the rooms post game.
Meanwhile, to watch the entire 1984/85 premierships function held at Crown recently click here and go to behind-the-scenes.
