Inspirational Essendon captain Dyson Heppell says he couldn’t be prouder of the way his side responded to adversity in its impressive 43-point victory over St Kilda on Friday night.

The Bombers were forced to play the entire final term with no rotations after injuries to Brendon Goddard (knee), Adam Saad (concussion), Cale Hooker (knee) and Orazio Fantasia (hamstring), fighting the game out bravely to keep the season alive.

Heppell said the result was “very pleasing” and credited a more calculated ball movement for the way the team ran out the contest.

“I thought the boys fought it out really well. I think it’s just the way we played, particularly in the last three quarters of the game, I thought stacked up really well,” Heppell said post-match.

“Losing four blokes – so no rotations – we had hardly anything left in the tank but played the game out well.

“I’m absolutely knackered now, as you are every week. The way we ended up playing (with) more controlled ball movement saved the legs a fair bit.

“Just being able to set the ground up really well once we went forward didn’t allow too many fast entries past midway through that second term.”

Saad was felled by a nasty bump from Saint Nathan Brown in the first quarter, with tensions subsequently boiling over, but Heppell was pleased with the way his team reacted to the situation.

“When Saady went down the most pleasing thing (was) we really combined as a group,” he said.

“It shows how much genuine care we actually have for each other and the character of the playing group.

“We were just able to stick to our role, stay focused on keeping to our structures and played the game out well.”

Heppell said Essendon’s ability to rotate several players through the midfield proved crucial in the win.

“That was a big part of the game in the end, we were spitting blokes every two or three minutes through there and guys were coming in and able to (have an) impact as well, so I think that was a great result.”

The on-baller continued his terrific season with another strong performance on Friday, gathering 29 disposals, 11 marks, eight inside-50s and a cracking snap goal on his opposite boot.

Always humble, Heppell admitted it was nice to hit the scoreboard and continue the momentum he has gathered in a string of outstanding individual efforts in recent months.

“I’m punching along alright and building a bit of consistency throughout the last 10 to 12 weeks and it was okay again today,” he said.

“I haven’t dusted off the right peg for a while, so it was nice to hit one nicely.”

The Bombers will need to rise to the challenge once more next week as they face reigning premier Richmond at the MCG, and Heppell said he is keen to hit the Tigers head on before heading interstate in the final round to take on Port Adelaide.

“It’s huge for us, a really exciting opportunity though (to) test ourselves against the best teams in the comp, that’s what you want.

“I think (it will be) a crucial recovery over the next few days and hopefully we can recover well and see how those boys pull up and (get) ready to attack the Tigs on Friday night, it will be huge.”