Despite healthy wins in contested ball and a hefty inside 50 count, Essendon’s efforts weren’t enough to topple a classy Hawthorn side on Friday night, falling by 26 points at the MCG.

A slow start – six goals conceded in the first term - restricted the Bombers’ chances and it became even more apparent throughout a promising second half where they looked to regain control of the play but couldn’t quite trim the margin.

Although disappointed by some defensive lapses and his side’s inefficiency going forward, Senior Coach Brad Scott told the media post-game that the positive signs from the defeat, notably the willingness to stay in the hunt after quarter-time, will hold the Bombers in good stead.

“(We were) beaten by a more efficient and probably at this stage, a classier side in terms of polish,” Scott said.

“What we want to build our team around (is) effort in the contest but also effort when things aren’t going your way, to be able to adjust both from a coaching and playing perspective, to get back in the game.

“I like the fact that we never conceded but clearly, there’s a gap between the two sides at the moment. Effort, contest, ability to defend with effort was really good but (our) ability to defend against their class was certainly wanting in the first half.”

“To concede six goals from things that we prepared for and trained for (centre bounce and kick-ins) was disappointing and that was a big part to the margin, I thought.”

One of the shining lights on the night for the Dons was midfielder Jye Caldwell, who’s shown no signs of slowing down from his 2024 form, racking up 36 touches, 11 score involvements, 11 tackles and 10 clearances in an industrious showing.

Factored in with the promising debut of Isaac Kako, Scott was quick to emphasise the energy they’re bringing to the group.

“I thought Caldwell was outstanding. I think he’s really elevated his game, he was playing on some good Hawthorn mids and he really lifted us at various stages,” Scott said.

“It was great to see Isaac out there, he did some really good things. I like the way he pressured, he gives us energy that we haven’t had in the forward half in the last couple of years.

“That’s only the beginning for Isaac, I think we’re going to see him only get better from here.”

The hot, greasy conditions at the ‘G saw both sides visibly tired nearing the end of the clash, but Scott was impressed with the intensity the Bombers were able to maintain as the game wore on.

Defending the clean ball use of Clubs like Hawthorn will be a touchpoint for the Dons looking ahead, who lacked the pressure to cancel out their better ball users in the first term.

“Both teams looked out on their feet, but I was rapt that our guys kept coming,” Scott said.

“You could say that maybe they had a bit of fatigue from last week and we didn’t, so we certainly won’t be using that (lack of Opening Round) as an excuse.

“We sat back off them a bit too much, particularly in the first quarter but again, I’m pleased we were able to adjust that and get the game somewhat back on our terms.

“In the second half, we controlled big parts of it. The screen that I looked at was flashing green on most metrics.

“We’ve got to defend that (ball use) better than we did tonight.”

Scott noted some similarity to fixtures near the end of last season, in which the Dons found themselves on top in clearances, contested possession, tackles and inside 50’s but fell short on conversion.

With Kyle Langford likely to miss next week’s Adelaide clash with a hamstring injury, Scott is optimistic the Club’s ‘horses for courses’ approach at the selection table will keep providing opportunities for other forwards to make an impact.

“Offensively, if you get it inside (50) 58 times, you’re going to get a good enough look but we had that a fair bit last year too,” Scott said.

“We got it in a lot but we potentially need to score better than we are at the moment.

“The options open to us are either personnel based, or they’re structure based. Maybe (we’ll have to change up our play without Langford) but that’s what you have to do in this competition, we’ll just adjust.”