Essendon coach John Worsfold says the disappointment of missing a finals berth this year won’t dictate the attitude of his side ahead of the 2019 season.

Speaking on SEN, Worsfold said he believes past results shouldn’t affect the way teams move forward.

“I have a very strong philosophy around what happens in one week or in one season really shouldn’t impact what happens in the next year,” Worsfold said.

“What impacts the next year is your attitude to wanting to get better and work harder, you should have that regardless of whether you were disappointed with the previous year or whether you were happy with it.”

Worsfold admitted the Bombers are well below their aims, but he is confident the team can show the determination it needs to in order to reach the club’s goals.

“For us (the aim) is to build and grow. We’re not where we want to be – if we had have made the (top) eight this year we would have been at the very bottom end of it.

“We’ve got a lot of improvement (to make) and that’s going to come through commitment to the hard work needed.

Essendon re-signed attacking pair Jayden Laverde and James Stewart on Wednesday, with both Bombers set to stay at The Hangar until at least the end of the 2020 season.

Worsfold said it was “great” to keep the duo at the club and praised them for their efforts this year despite their respective challenges.

“Jayden finished the year really strongly, he had a few setbacks with injury throughout the year, but obviously was on fire in that last game against Port Adelaide kicking three goals in the first quarter,” he said.

“James Stewart’s been wonderful since we got him to the club. He’s really added a lot in terms of that extra tall forward who can also really cover the ground well for us.

“(He) went out of side for a little while this year, but we still think he offers us a lot for the future.”