Essendon players and coaches have confronted the reasons behind the side’s 110-point loss to St Kilda last Sunday.

General Manager of Football Performance Neil Craig expects the forensic analysis of the team’s performance to continue right up until Saturday when the Bombers take on Melbourne.

“It was required, it was needed.  They are important conversations to have, but in the end it’s what you’re prepared to action,” Craig told Radio Sport National this morning.

“You get judged by what you do, not what you say.”

In the immediate aftermath of the loss to St Kilda, players and coaches pointed to a lack of effort and intensity.

“Part of the meeting is to identify that and to keep reaffirming that that aspect of the game has to be a non-negotiable,” Craig said.

“It’s unrealistic to expect to play at a really high intensity for 22 games of the year.

“No team does that, not even your best teams.  It’s not a cop out, but that’s called reality.”

Essendon will be looking to respond when it meets Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday in the ‘Clash for Cancer’.

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