Putting together a more consistent four quarter effort will be one of the main focuses when the Bombers take on St Kilda this Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
John Worsfold said the battle for consistency throughout games is something the team is desperately trying to achieve.
“To win a game, we need to play better for four quarters and that’s what we are asking of one another,” he said.
“In our good parts of our game, we are seeing things that players are starting to get a handle of and getting some good chemistry together - we have to just keep building that.”
After a goal-less first half last week against North Melbourne, the Bombers turned it around in the second half kicking eight goals to two to lose by just 14 points to the ladder-leader.
The performance last week, the good and bad, provides some learning opportunities according to the coach.
“It’s learning what we did well in the second half and also learning why we couldn’t hit the scoreboard in the first half with a similar amount of effort,” Worsfold said.
“We will take that into training and really highlight the things that are working well and why they are working and aim to do it better for longer.”
The Bombers will take on St Kilda without Courtenay Dempsey who has been ruled out with again with a hamstring and Shaun McKernan is an unlikely starter with a corked quad.
The Saints are coming off a trip to Perth and a 103-point loss to West Coast.
Worsfold is expecting a much improved performance from the Saints in front of their home crowd.
“Like all young teams you have a week where nothing goes right but that doesn’t last,” he said.
“We know the Saints are a very exciting young team, they have played some great footy and taken the game up to a lot of good teams.
“We expect them to get back to the brand of footy that they’ve been trying to implement all year.
“Like every team we play we just want to see how we match up against them and what level we can play at over four quarters.”
After a couple of strong showings in the VFL, Shaun Edwards will come into consideration for a senior recall this week.
Edwards had 29 disposals on Sunday against Coburg and continually looked to take the game on with his run and carry.
“His form has been a little bit inconsistent through the preseason but the last two weeks he has put his hand up for selection,” Worsfold said.
“Last week was probably his best game so far and the week before that was rated as his best game of the year. He trained really well today and is looking for an opportunity.”