Nothing short of an AFL finals berth is likely to satisfy Essendon supporters but skipper Dyson Heppell believes 2018 will be a formative year for the Dons regardless of their finish.
Heppell will play his 150th game when the Bombers face ladder-leaders Richmond in a must-win clash at the MCG on Friday night.
The 11th-placed Bombers are heading into the home straight in strong form, having won nine of their last 12 games after a poor start to the year.
A top-eight finish is unlikely given they would need to post big wins in both their remaining games and have other results fall their way.
But Heppell believes the pressure the Bombers came under earlier in the year has had a galvanising effect that will serve them well even if they fall short of finals.
"It was a disappointing start to the season, but I feel we've got a hell of a lot to gain from the remainder of the year," he said.
"We've found our game-style and what really stacks up against the best sides. We've got a bunch of guys that are willing to play their role.
"We've found some real depth and consistency right throughout the list and a lot of guys have stepped up and played important roles for us.
"I think the way the guys are approaching their training ... their willingness to learn and improve has improved a lot, and what's come as a result of that has been good form on the field."
The Bombers expect key trio Cale Hooker, Brendon Goddard and Adam Saad to be available to face the Tigers in front of a likely 80,000-strong crowd.
Saad trained with the main group on Thursday, six days after being concussed by a nasty high bump from St Kilda's Nathan Brown.
Hooker and Goddard (knee) were absent but trained on Wednesday and are tipped to play.
Richmond have ruled out captain Trent Cotchin and key defender David Astbury, who are battling hamstring and Achilles soreness respectively, while Dion Prestia and Kane Lambert are also out.
"I don't know if I've played them in my time without those guys but I guess it's not about one player," Heppell said.
"They've got amazing consistency right throughout that side.
"To test yourselves against the best side, who have been super this year, is what you want."
Share
