Essendon midfielder Adam Cooney says the players are drawing inspiration from the resilience of the fans.

In a season like no other, the Bombers enter the final stages of the season looking for their second win of the campaign.

Cooney said the playing group is desperate to repay the fans by securing another victory.

“When you play a game like that (St.Kilda), and you almost get over the line, you’re really disappointed that you lost," Cooney told Bomber Radio.

“But then, when the fans are cheering you and clapping the effort from the guys, that’s what keeps you happy as well. 

“They’re a pretty passionate bunch the Essendon fans.

“They’re doing it tough as well, we know that, for them to keep backing up and support us has been terrific this year.

“We’d like to have one or two more wins towards the back end of the year.

“It would be great for our group and it would certainly be good for our fans as well.” 

Cooney will watch on from the sidelines today for the first time of the season with coaches deciding to rest the veteran from the match against the Tigers.

After injuries stalled his progress in his first season with the Bombers, Cooney has enjoyed the continuity this season.

He’s averaged 23.4 possessions and has played a key leadership role in the middle of the ground.

“I think it’s a good mix of the experienced guys; myself, Kel, BJ and then younger guys going through centre bounces and inside which is really good for their development and good for the group,” he said.

“We like to have a little bit of experience on the outside of the contest and then those young guys doing their thing in the middle of the ground.

“Zachy Merrett has had a fantastic year and David Zaharakis, Darcy Parish, those guys floating through there is certainly good for the team’s development in the long run.

“Zachy is probably one of the most professional guys at the footy club already.  He’s only in his third year of footy.  It’s showed the way that he’s played this year.

“Darc is another one who has come in and just wanted to learn, so I think the more footy that those guys play together, the better we’ll be as a team.

“It’s one of the positives out of this year with a lot of the guys being away, the younger guys have had a lot more time to play and get midfield time.

“Whereas, they’d probably be two to three years off if the other guys would have been here.

“It’s certainly fast tracked their development to become better players, which will help us become a better team in the next few years.”