Essendon are remaining buoyed ahead of an important run of games in the context of their AFLW season.
The Bombers’ Friday afternoon matchup with Melbourne marks the first of three games in just nine days for the side, who’ll be looking to rebound from consecutive losses to St Kilda and most recently to ladder leaders Adelaide.
Despite Sunday’s 33-point defeat, signs were positive for the Bombers, who are beginning to piece together longer stretches of competitive play against the stronger sides of the competition.
Co-Captain Steph Cain lauded the overall intent of the squad as they try to channel those positives through a physically taxing two weeks of the fixture.
“We were challenged at quite a few moments in that game, to be able to take those momentum shifts and really own them was a positive sign for us,” Cain said.
“Adelaide are an established team in this competition but I thought the fight throughout the four quarters was really great and something that we probably haven’t had over the first couple of rounds.”
Cain praised the efforts of the Dons’ defensive group, who were forced to hold up strongly against an historically potent Crows forward line including Danielle Ponter and Caitlin Gould.
Highlighting new leadership group member Maddi Gay and the developing pairing of Ash Van Loon and Georgia Clarke, it’s their tenacity across the entirety of the game that stood out most to Cain.
“The fight for them (Clarke and Van Loon) was there for the whole four quarters,” Cain said.
“It’s never an easy thing going up against Ponter and Gould, so I thought they just continued to fight with every single moment they had and kept each other accountable.
“(Gay’s) shown over the last couple of weeks what she brings to our side and really breaking those lines from half back. From a leadership perspective, she really helps out the backline and brings a lot to our group, so we love having her.
“‘Mads’ is someone you can look at dead in the eyes and know what you’re going to get when you jump out on the field, so to have her part of the Bombers this year is fantastic."
Looking ahead to their Grand Final Eve public holiday clash with the Demons and the midweek footy schedule, the Dons are embracing the quick turnaround.
"(It's about) continuing that fight as our group and getting forward 50 entries really solid. It’s going to be a good occasion," Cain said.
"We’re about to hit the (midweek footy) period so it’s pretty quick turnaround from reviewing this game, finding the positives and the things we need to work on and then flipping the attention to Melbourne.
"(We’re) looking forward to the battle to come."
