Nothing separated Bendigo and Werribee at half-time of its Round 6 VFL match yesterday. However, a disappointing second half resulted in Bendigo losing by 48-points. Bendigo managed just three goals after the main break and the loss has pushed them out of the top six. ""We had a very good team in today, but we didn’t perform, so it was disappointing,"" Bendigo general manager Paul Barnard said.

In his second match back, Mark McVeigh moved well and was solid for four quarters. He gathered 23 possessions and according to Barnard is a chance to push up for senior selection this week for the match against Adelaide. Ted Richards was also a key contributor and finished with 13 disposals – eight kicks, five handballs and four marks.

Rookie Adrian Wilson continued his stellar form this season. He took on Werribee spearhead David Mitchell and kept him to just one goal. ""Wilson was one of our best performers yesterday. If there was a chance for another rookie to be elevated, I would definitely push him up,"" Barnard said.

""Teddy was fantastic today, as was Adrian Wilson and Mark McVeigh. The three of them tried hard all day and they typify what Essendon is about and that is heart and soul. They didn’t have the support that they should have had, which was disappointing.""

Damian Cupido had another hit-out yesterday for Bendigo. He played half back for the first half the game and then moved forward. The good news is Cupido got through the game unscathed and continues to build on his match fitness each week.

Bendigo Bomber statistics:
Jordan Doering – 24
Mark McVeigh – 23
Nick Carter – 15
Mark Mercuri – 14
Damian Cupido – 13
Ted Richards – 13
Mark Alvey – 13
Brent Stanton – 12
Andrew Lovett – 12
Kepler Bradley – 10
Jay Nash – 10
Tristan Cartledge – 9
Guy Campbell – 9
Adrian Wilson – 18
Sam Hunt – 5
Jason Laycock – 4
Darren Walsh – 4
Luke Hawkins – 3
Peter Summers – 3
James Davies – 3
Ben Cosgriff – 2

Bendigo has faces another challenge this Saturday when they face second top side Port Melbourne. The game kicks off at Queen Elizabeth oval, Bendigo at 1.10pm and will be live on ABC TV.