Essendon captain Jobe Watson said the Bombers had spoken at length about avoiding a letdown against the Saints after the stirring comeback win over Fremantle last Friday.

Undefeated Essendon showed its mettle in a stirring come-from-behind win over the Dockers by four points, returning to Melbourne atop the ladder.

"There's no point achieving that (the win over Freo) if you give it back the following week," Watson said.

"We're expecting a really tough contest against St Kilda."

He said Scott Gumbleton was the likely replacement for the suspended Paddy Ryder this week against the Saints, with highly touted father-son selection Joe Daniher still needing more time in the VFL.

The skipper said on Thursday morning that the Bombers' crowded playing schedule meant they had yet to be given the opportunity to give their version of the events for the ASADA investigation that took place at the club before the start of the 2012 season.

The Bombers play St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday in a twilight game, then will have just five days to back up for the Anzac Day clash with Collingwood the following Thursday.

"We have a tight schedule," Watson said on Melbourne radio SEN.

"So I think it will start in two weeks' time."

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