The camaraderie that helped push the VFL Bombers into last year’s preliminary final is returning according to Aaron Heppell and James Ferry.

Last weekend’s come from behind win over Werribee could prove the catalyst for the group who are looking to cement a finals berth in the back half of the season.

The Bombers trailed by 40 points midway through the third term but kicked nine of the last 10 goals to claim a 13-point win and sixth position on the VFL ladder.

Speaking on BTV, Heppell said the win over the Tigers was the highlight of the season.

“The way we turned it around from the first half to the second half was just a real credit to the boys,” he said.

“A win like that really brings a group closer together.

“It’s really what we needed at this time of year, brings us to five and five and really gives us a platform to set up the rest of the year.”

The VFL Bombers have used 26 AFL listed players and 18 of the 25 listed VFL players so far this season.

Of the 44 players used this season, 18 are new to the Essendon system.

Ferry said that the players are now starting to become familiar with their new teammates and their versatility will be a key throughout the remainder of the season.

“We have a lot of depth now through the side and a lot of boys who have played together, I think that’s really important going into the back end of the season,” Ferry said. 

“Having everyone starting to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses is a really important thing to have. It’s been great that we have had 18 boys from the VFL side step in.”

The majority of the players got together socially following last weekend’s win ahead this weekend’s bye and some time off the players during the week.

Celebrating wins like that together is priceless when it comes to building character amongst the group.

“We have spoken about it a fair bit with the group, we are really focusing on getting that camaraderie as a team back to where it was last year,” Heppell said. 

“Finals time last year we were a tight knit group, AFL and VFL boys buying into the one game plan, we are starting to get back to that stage.

“If we can get back to where we were midway through finals last year, I reckon we will be a really good chance and looking pretty strong. It’s a pretty exciting tail half of the year coming up.”