Essendon coach John Worsfold has backed his club's senior leaders to continue building form as the Bombers look to improve on a patchy mid-season report card.
With five wins and six losses, the 12th-placed Bombers face a steep test against fifth-placed Port Adelaide on Saturday night, before their bye.
Worsfold's side have looked imposing at times this season, particularly during wins over Geelong and West Coast.
But they have been far from consistent, coming off consecutive losses to Greater Western Sydney and Richmond ahead of their clash with the Power at Etihad Stadium.
Worsfold insists he hasn't thought about whether the Bombers are still in a position to push for a finals berth.
But he's confident the likes of former skipper Jobe Watson - one of 10 players back in the squad after serving doping bans last season - are tracking towards their best form.
"I've been really pleased. They're tracking pretty well," Worsfold said on Wednesday.
"I've got no doubt they've got great footy left in them throughout the remainder of the season.
"As a team, we're starting to get an even stronger understanding of the way we want to play and how we're working together."
Watson looked to be struggling earlier in the season but was among Essendon's best during their 16-point loss to the Giants last week, gathering 28 disposals, eight marks and seven tackles.
"I thought Jobe's game last week was really good," Worsfold said.
"Tom Bellchambers played a great game.
"I really believe they're all building still towards their best form."
The Bombers' relatively healthy list is also cause for cheer, despite key defender Patrick Ambrose suffering a fresh quad injury that will sideline him for about six weeks.
Classy youngster Darcy Parish (calf) is set to return after the bye, while Mitch Brown and Jayden Laverde should be available soon after.
Overcoming in-form Paddy Ryder looms as a tough task for Essendon this week, with Worsfold admitting the Port ruckman's versatility across the ground made him difficult to match up on.
"He is different - you do have a different mindset," Worsfold said.
"He's not the only one.
"They've got a good midfield and they move the ball well.
"Across the board, there's plenty of threats for us."
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