Essendon posted its highest score of the season in the 70 point win over Port Adelaide, but the defence was equally impressive as the Dons moved inside the top eight.

The Bombers kicked 19.17.131 to the Power’s 8.13.61.

Despite the dominance on the scoreboard, the visitors still managed 51 inside 50s.

But as is becoming a hallmark of this year’s Dons line-up, the backline was resilient and not only halted the forays forward but launched counter attacks with 16 of the Dons 19 goal scoring chains initiated in defence.

Michael Hartley was a key component as he kept Charlie Dixon goalless.

“He’s got a bit of speed for a big ‘fella’ and he leads up to the footy pretty well so I thought if I could play in front I could stop the lead and if the long ball comes in I could hopefully get back and get the spoil in,” he said.

“That was the plan and it sort of worked but I had the other five (defenders) help me out which was very handy.

“The pressure in the midfield and from the forwards made the ball come in a little bit easier for me.”

In the last three weeks Hartley has played on Jack Riewoldt, Jonathan Patton and Dixon, with the three forwards combining for just two goals.

“I’m slowly getting there but I’m loving it,” Hartley said.

“It’s a great opportunity to play on some of the best key forwards going around … that frees ‘Hurls’ [Michael Hurley] up a bit so that’s another good thing that comes out of it.”

Hartley finished the match with 14 disposals and eight marks.

“I got put back in the VFL because I was pretty defence conscious so I had to work on the offensive side of the game a bit more,” he said.

“I still have a long way to go but I’m trying to get off the big ‘fellas’ and get up the ground and use my endurance and my leg where I can. 

“That’s something I’ve been working on and I’m slowly getting there.”