Forward Danny Younan says the best is ahead of the young Bombers as his side heads into its bye round with a 1-2 record.
After a commanding round one win over Frankston, Essendon has recorded back-to-back losses on the road against Williamstown and Collingwood.
The Bombers were not blown away in either match and with five debutants already blooded this season, Younan believes Essendon’s growing depth and experience will make his side more competitive performance by performance.
“There’s lots of kids coming through,” Younan said.
“And we saw how well guys like (round three debutant) Jake McQueen played last week. The gelling will come.
“There’s a lot of confidence within the team, knowing our roles. We know that once we get on a roll, we can score heavily.”
Certainly, Younan himself is proof of that. Following his four-goal haul against the Magpies, he is tied with Port Melbourne’s Jordan Lisle atop the VFL goal-kicking table with 10 majors.
The sight of the 25-year old streaking back towards goal to get on the end of a coast-to-coast transition is an exciting sign that things are going well on the field, yet Younan prides himself more on the close-quarters operations at stoppages.
“One of my strengths is being able to read the play…to get in position, but then to get that pressure inside 50 – that’s important,” he said.
Younan is one of two deputy vice-captains in 2018 alongside midfielder Nick Hind and has embraced the position.
At the beginning of the week or the start, before, during or after the game, win or lose, Younan will always think of his responsibilities to the side.
“Always, I always think about being a leader when I play,” he said seriously.
Essendon will play at home for the first time this season in round five when it takes on North Melbourne on Saturday, May 5 from 2pm.