In a game which he described as ‘very winnable’, Essendon assistant coach Ashley Prescott believes the Bombers’ had plenty of opportunities against the Kangaroos’ but simply failed to execute them.

Speaking today on Weekend Rewind, Prescott said the Bomber's six more inside 50’s then North Melbourne, showed that their entries were not of a high enough quality into the forward line.

“There is no use having forward entries, unless you can actually convert on them, whether that’s taking marks or actually gathering the ball inside 50 and giving yourself a shot at goal,” Prescott said.

“We got lulled into playing a slow style of football, when the Kangaroos got possession in the back half in particular; they really slowed the game down.

“We had a zone put in place on the kick-in and we failed to press up and make them release the ball back, which slowed the game down.

“To our credit we have actually been a lot more effective in limiting the opposition’s ability to take it inside 50 too, this time last year, sides were averaging 56 inside 50’s against us. This year, it has gone down significantly which is a positive.
 
“We had a very pleasing win against Carlton, everyone got very excited; I don’t know whether we got ahead of ourselves, but as a playing group and a footy club we got a little bit anxious and probably didn’t relax and let it flow.
 
“I think we’ve got to get back to playing instinctive football and not worry about the result. Win, lose or draw; we have to go out there and play football to our strengths.""
 

Prescott took some positives performances away with him including the performance of David Zaharakis, who played his third game for the Bombers’ and racked up 20-plus possessions again.

“He has been sensational; his ability to win contested football for a young player is fantastic. He is so strong over the ball and so clean with how he uses it,” he said.

“He doesn’t fumble because he doesn’t take his eye off it and again his disposal was good although he probably let himself down on a few occasions, as most of our boys did a few times inside 50.""