There were some noticeable omissions from the training track this afternoon at Windy Hill. James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, Mark Johnson and Jason Johnson were some of the names missing from the skills session. But there is no need for Essendon supporters to panic - the coaching staff opting to give the four a workout in the pool rather than on the track. ""The match against Brisbane was a pretty solid hit out so I don't think they need to have three strenuous hit-outs this week on the track. We have to make sure we get them ready for a match. They all had fantastic games last week and the coaching staff is mindful of preparing them for Saturday. Therefore they will have a light night tonight and then a full session on Wednesday and then into the game on Saturday,"" Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy said.

The win against Brisbane has put Essendon just two points outside the top eight and the confidence to know they can match it with one of the best sides in the competition. Sheedy is not getting too carried away with the win, preferring to focus his player's attention at the match against Melbourne. ""Well we are still not in the top eight. We just have to make sure we play somewhere near that footy against Melbourne this week. We need to get our best players out there and play our best football.""

""We wanted to test ourselves against Brisbane, a team that has been up there and in the top four for the last few years. I think they are the testing material even though they had one or two players out. The last few times we have played them we have had players out, so it just went our way this time,"" Sheedy said.

Essendon recorded one of its best crowds at The Dome on Saturday night and Sheedy and the team paid tribute to the contribution the Bombers supporters made. ""I think that was our best interstate crowd ever at The Dome. We got just under 50,000, so it is an enormous win for the club and the Stadium. All in all it was a good all round night for the Bomber fans and the team.""