Key forward Shaun McKernan has been a revelation for the Bombers this year and his four-goal performance in Essendon’s victory over North Melbourne on Sunday typified his breakthrough season.

He was outstanding in the win, booting his four majors from 18 disposals, raking in seven marks and chiming in to support Tom Bellchambers in the ruck with six hit-outs.

McKernan is yet to play more than nine games in any season for the Bombers since his first year at the club in 2015. But he has grasped his opportunity in the forward line with both hands this season, stringing together seven games in a row in the absence of injured forward Joe Daniher.

In fact, McKernan’s average of 1.7 goals per game is the highest of any Bomber in 2018 and his 2.1 average for marks inside-50 has him 17^th in the entire league.

“To be honest, I’m just happy to be playing my role for the team,” McKernan said after the 17-point win.

“Some weeks you have days like today and then you have other times where you’ve just got to play your role and compete down the line.

“I’m just happy to be out there and just trying to string a few (games) together really.”

McKernan wasn’t alone in his terrific performance in the forward line on Sunday and credited his teammates with the side’s exhilarating display in which the Bombers kicked 13 goals in the first half. 

“Before the game we went in to focus on just trying to play the game in our half and that comes from guys like Walla (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti) and Raz (Orazio Fantasia) and Baggers (Mark Baguley) putting pressure on, I thought they did that very well,” he said. 

“And the mids as well, just lowering their eyes when we went inside-50 was a big focus, so I think that went pretty well.”

The Bombers were electrifying in the important victory and McKernan said he was thrilled they could answer every challenge thrown down by the tough Kangaroos.

“It was definitely important for our season to keep the season alive and we knew what the game meant for us.

“We spoke about it at half-time, we knew North were going to come and it was just about withholding (them) and trying to maintain that pressure that we had for most of the game.

“To the boys’ credit, we always fought back when they came at us and I don’t think we ever felt like we were going to lose that game.”

He said he never doubted the side’s ability to run out the game strongly despite an energy-sapping opening half.

“We back in our fitness every week and we know we’ve done a lot of work over the pre-season and that’s why you do it – for this time of year to try and use it.

“I didn’t think we ever felt like we were going to run out of legs.”

Essendon faces another crucial challenge against Collingwood after suffering a 49-point loss to the Magpies in their latest meeting on ANZAC Day, and McKernan said he is looking forward to the clash.

“We know last time we put up a disappointing effort on ANZAC Day, so I think everyone will be pretty keen to bounce back from that.

“They’ve come off a good win last night as well, so it will be a good game.”