Essendon's finals hopes hang in the balance after a more inspired Fremantle side inflicted a 54-point win at the Bombers' expense yesterday at Subiaco.
 
Assistant coach, Alan Richardson, said the dominance of giant Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands in the absence of Patrick Ryder and a lack of intensity shown by the Bombers allowed the Dockers the upper hand.
 
""We just weren't good enough today, basically. Sandilands dominated in the ruck and they dominated clearances,"" he said.
  
To read the quarter by quarter results as part of Live Scores click here
 
The inside 50s count highlighted the Dockers' dominance with Fremantle racking up almost 20 more than the Bombers.
 
However, despite the disappointing end result, Richardson said there were a few shining lights.
 
""I thought Stanton worked really hard and Ricky Dyson's first half was pretty impressive. Lovett-Murray, when we were trying to turn the game, I thought his effort was quite significant. Other than that we wouldn't have had many other winners on the day,"" he said.
 
This Saturday's game against Hawthorn is now a make or break clash with the Bombers needing a win to cement eighth spot and experience September action.  
 
""We have to win bascially, it's that simple. The other teams lost that we needed to see lose and now it's a massive game for us on Saturday,"" Richardson said.