Essendon Coach James Hird is confident there won’t be any drop off from his players after a big month to start the season.

The Bombers took it up to the Swans in the opening match of the year before upsetting Hawthorn in round two. 

The last fortnight has seen Essendon take on rivals Carlton and Collingwood.

Now Hird’s team is looking to bounce back against St Kilda.

“We know it’s a game that if we want to be a potential finalist we have to play well in,” Hird said. 

“Eight day break, no excuses and our boys are ready to play.” 

The Saints have been one of the competition’s best contested ball sides so far this season.

“Their pressure has been fantastic.  They’ve had some good performances throughout the year, particularly that first quarter against Collingwood.” 

Kyle Langford will make his debut for Essendon after impressing during the NAB Challenge.

“He’s a terrific young player.  We’re excited about him coming into the team.  All Essendon supporters will see a classy player who wins the football for himself and knows how to use it,” Hird said.

Langford will play in the forward line for the Bombers who will be missing Paul Chapman.

Essendon is ranked 17^th in scoring this season but two of the Bombers four games have been played in wet conditions. 

“That obviously makes our stats looks lower in attack.  We’re keen to score more but there’s a balance between defence and attack,” Hird said. 

“We’ve always been trying to teach defence and we think we’ve got that right. 

“Now we just need to score a little bit more and some dry weather would certainly help.”