Essendon assistant coach, Adrian Hickmott, said the Bombers need to find some consistency when they take on Port Adelaide in Round 1 if they are to start the season on a winning note.
Despite falling 17-points short in their final hitout of the pre-season against the Kangaroos, Hickmott said the Bombers looked good when they moved the ball quickly and with precision but needed to do it for longer periods of the game.

“When we moved it quick and pushed the ball into attack using runners like Dempsey, Lovett and Stanton, who moved the ball extremely well, we looked impressive and you can build your team around play like that,"" Hickmott said.

“It was disappointing when we missed targets and missed the body because when you do you turn the ball over. We thought the players pushed hard at least until the end.

“We were impressive in the third term with fast movement of the football and players worked hard in defence and then moved the ball on instinctively.”

Hickmott said selection pressure would peak ahead of Essendon’s Round 1 game based on the solid performance by a number of players but there would also be a lot of work to do before making the trip to Adelaide.

“There is always work to do but at the end of the day when the guys come out and work hard and don’t throw away their game-plan then that is positive,” Hickmott said.

“It will be an interesting selection week next week. I think there were a number of players who came on and worked extremely hard so it will be difficult to narrow the list down to 22.”

The first quarter saw Essendon turn over the ball too many times and too easily and North Melbourne capitalised on the Bombers’ poor decision making.

The Kangaroos worked the ball into their forward fifty with ease and made the most of their opportunities with early goals to Campbell, Harding and Thomas.

Despite the early fire, Dustin Fletcher was solid in defence and worked hard to limit North’s influence on the scoreboard.

Michael Hurley looked more comfortable this week, slotting an early goal from a set shot and taking a number of strong marks overhead.

The small ground saw the ball see-saw quickly into either side’s forward fifty and a high scoring affair unfolded.

The margin leading into the first break was heavily tilted in the Kangaroos’ favour who boasted a 31-point lead despite Essendon kicking four goals and no behinds for the term.

Goals were harder to find in the second term as both teams held the opposition more accountable and kicking at goal was wayward.

Adam McPhee found plenty of the ball and was competitive around the ground while Alwyn Davey excited with his attack on the ball and classy disposal.

Heath Hocking and David Hille helped chisel back the Kangaroos’ early lead, both posting majors before a 50m penalty allowed Andrew Lovett to cut back North Melbourne’s lead to 21 points heading into the main break.

The quality of football improved as the match ticked on and Brent Stanton and Matthew Lloyd gave the Bombers a sniff when they secured early goals in the third term.
North Melbourne’s reply was swift and came via the boot of Drew Petrie.
Jay Nash’s outing in the Bombers’ forward fifty proved fruitful after he set up one major and kicked another to cut the Kangaroos’ lead to nine points and put the Bombers within reach.
Two quick goals to Davey and Hayden Skipworth gave Essendon a three-point lead heading into the final term and if Essendon were able to play out the final quarter as they did the third, they were a good chance to walk away with the win.
It wasn't to be the case with a dominant Kangaroos midfield taking control in the final quarter. The Kangaroos piled on a number of qucik goals and while the Bombers never gave up the final margin was 17 points.
Henry Slattery and David Myers suffered ankle injuries but only Myers in doubt for Round 1 due to a lack of conditioning. Jobe Watson suffered a knock to the head but is fine for Round 1.