Jason Winderlich says Friday night’s clash against top-eight side St Kilda is an opportunity for the Bombers to earn back some much-needed respect.

Essendon will come up against three top-eight sides over the next three Friday nights and Winderlich said he and the side are looking forward to being tested.

“It is against sides like St Kilda, Carlton and Collingwood that you get tested,” Winderlich told media.

“Matthew spoke about earning back some respect when playing these top-eight teams and we earnt a little bit on the weekend but playing against the best teams is a great test and is how you earn respect back from the competition.”
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Winderlich said the side would draw some confidence from having beaten St. Kilda at their last two encounters with the Premiership-contenders and hopes small forwards Leroy Jetta and Alwyn Davey can be dangerous.

“At the start of the year we defeated them and they had Nick Riewoldt out but last year we were the first team to beat them and they had Nick Riewoldt in,” Winderlich said.

“I watched the replay of when Carlton played against St. Kilda and saw the little forwards like Betts, Yarran and Garland be quite dangerous so hopefully Leroy Jetta and Alwyn Davey can do some similar damage for us this week.”
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Winderlich praised Essendon fans for their ongoing support and said that the side felt reassured by seeing supporters regularly attending games.

“Personally I know myself and the players are relieved to have the support of the members and supporters who still turn out and watch us week-in week-out,” Winderlich said.

“I think it’s important for us to stick together as a playing group and coaching staff and moving forward we just want all of the supports to get behind us.”
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