Despite being in striking distance at half-time, John Worsfold admits there were some concerning signs in the opening half against St Kilda.

Essendon trailed by 10 points at half time but the Saints supremacy through the midfield gave the coaches some headaches at the long interval.

“I was certainly concerned at half time, we had defended pretty well but we were under the pump,” Worsfold said.

“We weren’t getting enough ball forward and couldn’t chain out of our back 50 and we couldn’t win clearances to get field position that way.

“If that stayed the case, it meant that their scoring would open up. Our backs were under siege and held up for a fair while but they couldn’t maintain that.”

Despite the Bombers winning the hit outs 41 to 24, St Kilda won the centre clearance count 20 to six and the field stoppage clearances 26 to 17. 

Worsfold will keep persisting with his young midfield brigade.

“We got badly beaten around clearances, we are giving Zach Merrett a lot of time in their to learn and he’s been outstanding all year and Parish as well,” he said. 

“We’ll keep backing those kids in to keep learning, we will get hurt at times but overall this year I’ve been really pleased with how they’ve been holding up.”

The forwards had limited opportunities with only 40 inside 50’s producing 18 scoring shots.

Mitch Brown kicked four goals and two behinds from his 12 disposals and six marks. 

“It was a tough day for our forwards, we didn’t get any great supply going in there although they competed well when the ball did get in there,” Worsfold said.

“Langford took a couple of good marks, Brown was excellent – he’s really developing well.

“They are all trying to get to know how each other play and the players are starting to get an understanding of where Brownie presents himself and what his strengths are.

“It’s good to see that understanding coming through.”

Essendon’s VFL side lost to Footscray by 19 points yesterday but several players continue to push for senior selection. 

“Everyone out of the listed players pulled up pretty well. There are a few players in their pushing up really hard for opportunities which we are rapt about,” Worsfold said.

“Jake Long’s been in the mix for the last month. We rested him last week as part of his development but the two weeks prior to that he was really in the mix.

“Will Hams apparently played really well, Jamar is playing good footy, Shaun Edwards played really well – all those guys are pushing up.”