The combination of young players performing well and a number of experienced players returning from injury will increase the selection pressure at the True Value Solar Centre over the next few weeks.

Essendon kicked its second highest score of the season in a narrow loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

“I thought Goddard, Stanton and Hurley – the guys who have around been around the club for a while are certainly leading very well,” Essendon Coach James Hird said.

“It allows the young guys with their energy and enthusiasm to play exciting football.

“I’m not sure if it was our best football because we got scored heavily against but certainly it was exciting.”

Nick O’Brien gathered 32 possessions in his best game for the Bombers while Kyle Langford, Alex Browne and Jayden Laverde showed some promising signs.

Tall forwards Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker kicked five goals between them and Zach Merrett laid 12 tackles.

Hird said he was happy with the way ruckman Shaun McKernan responded.

“I thought Shaun rebounded well and gave us an effort and a contest after a pretty difficult week where everyone was saying that he shouldn’t play and Giles should play,” he said.

Paul Chapman, Adam Cooney and Heath Hocking all played in the VFL side’s come from behind win yesterday. 

While Jake Carlisle, Jake Melksham and David Myers are nearing their returns from injury.

“We play players who deserve to play because of their form on the training track and in games," Hird said.