Essendon Coach John Worsfold says there is a strong drive to improve within the Bombers playing group.

The Dons are in 11^th spot on the ladder but a win against Brisbane on Sunday could lift the side back into the top eight.

The side has played five top eight teams in the last six matches, as well as the Swans who have the best record in the competition over that period.

The return is three wins and three losses (all by less than three goals). 

Worsfold said the playing group knows there is room for improvement. 

“I’m seeing driven guys that know they’re not happy with where we are, they believe we can do better,” he said.

“But they also know that everyone else (opposition teams) are thinking the same and other clubs will see us as a team they can beat.

“The challenge is to keep trying to play better footy and learn from every game.

“From the first six or seven rounds we were very inconsistent in a lot of aspects of the game, not just results, and we’ve been a lot more consistent since then.

“But there is still areas we can get better at.”

The Bombers host Brisbane on Sunday and with a healthy playing list and the VFL side coming off an impressive win, there are a number of players pushing for selection. 

Worsfold expects Cale Hooker to return if he can get through training while Darcy Parish, Matthew Leuenberger, David Myers and potential debutant Josh Begley will also be considered.

“I would say Hooker is the one if he’s fit that will come in most likely at [Shaun] McKernan’s expense, even though we were pleased with what McKernan offered the team and the others are going to be up for plenty of discussion at match committee,” Worsfold said.

Joe Daniher will line-up for the Bombers fresh from signing a new contract.

The deal will see the key forward remain at the Club until at least the end of 2020.

“We know he’s a great player so he’s a player we want to have at the footy club for his whole career,” Worsfold said. 

“I did say a number of weeks ago that he was our priority and we’ve got that done.

“We’ve still got some other players we want to get signed so we’re working through that.

“Joe is a wonderful Essendon player and is going to help the Club have the success that we’re striving for.”