Essendon assistant coach Mark Harvey says the Bombers face a difficult run home for the remainder of the season - playing sides with plenty on the line every week. Essendon is three games clear on top of the ladder and with a healthy percentage after 15 rounds. Harvey says that the competition for places in the senior side should guard against complacency at Windy Hill. ""But these sides have a lot to play for each week and that is really going to test our resolve,"" Harvey said.

""The competition for places in the final eight is red-hot at the moment and they will hit us with everything so we won't be in cruise mode for the rest of the season. If we relax we will get beaten make no mistake about that,"" Harvey said. The Bombers run home sees them play the Kangaroos, Port Adelaide, Carlton, Sydney, West Coast and Richmond. All but West Coast can make the finals and three are fighting for a top four finish.

""Mentally it is going to be a very big challenge for our players but I think it will be excellent preparation for the finals,"" Harvey said. ""If there is nothing on the line players can drift a little bit. The opposition won't be drifitng and our players know they can't afford to.""

With senior players injured and some down on form, Harvey estimated the Bombers are playing at about 70% capacity at the moment. ""They might sound stupid given we are clear on top of the ladder but we do have some class players sidelined at the moment. There is plenty of room for improvement in that regard plus some players aren't at their very best right now. We have seven weeks to get things running at their absolute best - anything less and you'll get beaten in finals,"" Harvey said. ""People shouldn't forget that a few sides have closed the gap on us compared with last year.""