Essendon's strong pre-season form has come on the back of asummer spent working hard on the team's defensive pressure, young midfielderBen Howlett says.

Howlett, who had 15 disposals and seven tackles in theBombers' 39-point NAB Cup semi-final win over St Kilda on Friday night, saidthe club's new-look coaching staff, led by James Hird, came with a clear focus.

""Something that we've worked really hard on over thesummer is the defensive side of our game,"" he said after the match.

""The coaching staff have really pushed that into usover the pre-season, so we're happy with the improvement in that side ofthings.""

After being elevated from Essendon's rookie list at thebeginning of last season and playing 15 games en route to winning the club'sbest first-year player award, Howlett has concentrated hard on his fitness oversummer.

He aims to take further steps towards becoming one of theBombers' key on-ballers.

""I want to push up and play that midfield role and workharder in games,"" he said.

""I want to make myself an elite player and get up tothe likes of Mark McVeigh and Brent Stanton. I look up to those guys and if Ican get to their stage I'll be very happy.""

The 22 year-old said the addition of former Adelaidechampion Simon Goodwin to the Bombers' coaching team has accelerated hislearning.

""I'm very close with Simon Goodwin,"" he said.

""He knows so much about the game and he's just leadingus really well. He's brought us a long way.""

Howlett said that while the team's focus remained on roundone, ""winning form is good form"", and he looked forward to nextweek's decider.

""To us, we're just looking to improve, and if we canget the wins on the board as well it's great.

""Next week is going to be fantastic. Playing in anygrand final is great, and the experience we get out of it is going to beawesome.""