Essendon midfielder David Myers has described Saturday night’s season ending loss to North Melbourne as ‘bitterly disappointing’.

The Bombers gave up a 33-point lead early in the third term to go down to by 12 points in the elimination final.

Myers said the entire team was shattered following the loss against the Roos.

“We’re probably more embarrassed than anything,” Myers said.

“Again we played a good strong half of football and then just threw it away, I suppose, in the second half and didn’t rise to the challenge.”

“We knew what North was going to throw at us in the second half.”

“We have a bit of work to do in the off season – it happened all year.”

Myers said the most frustrating element of the loss was the team’s inability to consistently perform to the level they know is required.

“We had patches of good footy and bad footy and it just doesn’t stand up at this time of year,” he said.

“We know our best is good – and probably good enough – but we have to find a way to drive that longer into games.”

“I certainly didn’t see coming, what happened in the second half.”

The 25-year-old is a key member of the club’s leadership group and feels the loss will continue to hurt the players through the summer months.

“We have all pre-season now to just keep driving and just make sure that never happens again,” he said.

“It just comes down to guys’ behaviour.

“You can call it old habits, whatever you want, but as a side we’re not capable of maintaining a way of football that we know holds up.”

Myers said missing out last year on a finals opportunity makes te loss hurt even more.

“It’s a horrible feeling,” Myers said of Saturday night’s loss.

“Obviously after last year, having it pulled away from us, and then we get the chance tonight… to perform the way we did in the second half is bitterly disappointing.

“Guys have plenty of time now to stew on that.”