Despite the Bendigo Bombers' disappointing 64-point loss to the Coburg Tigers last Sunday, in which the Bombers only kicked one goal for the match, coach Shannon Grant said it was important to review the game and learn from where his side went wrong as they prepare for another huge clash against Port Melbourne on Saturday at TEAC Oval. 

Watch Jake Carlisle's game against Coburg here on BomberTV ?

Grant spent Monday with the players going over the match and said if they could use the drubbing as a reference point for the rest of the season then it could be of some benefit for his inexperienced side.

""I thought we just lacked our normal pressure and intensity around the footy, and our normal willingness to compete. They were probably the two biggest things,"" hesaid.

""We spoke about it at length and the players certainly felt that as well. Hopefully that's just one game that we can put away and bury and learn from and make sure we never turn up in that frame of mind again.""

Jake Carlisle continued his push for a return to the Essendon team after playing the last three games of 2010 by being one of the best for Bendigo last week despite the wet and windy conditions.

""Jake was certainly one of our better players,"" Grant said. ""He played a number of different roles for us and he's continuing to improve and get better every week with the roles that we want him to play. He's coming along really well.""

First-year player Michael Ross, who was the club's final selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft, also impressed Grant.

""His touch and ability to read the play was first class. He's one who continues to get better the longer the year goes. He's really starting to understand what he has to do to be an AFL footballer and he's improving every week,"" he said.

""He's one, along with Jake, that if they continue the way they are, will get a taste of senior footy pretty soon.""

Grant praised rookie Tyson Slattery, who made his AFL debut last year for the Bombers, saying the defender showed his customary courage against the Tigers.  

""The great thing about Tyson is you know exactly what you're going to get from him every week. He never shirks an issue, always puts his body on the line, and always throws himself into a contest regardless of his own safety,"" Grant said.

""He's certainly a player you love to coach and certainly one you like to have on your side.""

Grant said key forward Scott Gumbleton, despite a quiet day against the Tigers, will be in the mix to play senior football soon after getting through his third straight VFL game unscathed.

""It wasn't a great day for key forwards, but he got through and that's three games now,so he's working towards the amount of work he needs to get in,"" he said.