But after a tough month - of which the Bombers had lost three games by more than 10 goals - Essendon's performance was gallant, particularly after losing Ben Howlett and Jason Winderlich to hamstring injuries.

Hocking says they've got back to the standard they expect.

""It's always hard when you've play well and just don't get the results so we're disappointed but proud of the way the boys stuck at it,"" Hocking said on Monday.

""It's a positive for the Essendon Football Club in the way all the players came out and we played a brand of footy that we're proud of and that we think can stand up in finals football.

""We know if we can move that form forward it's going to be pretty good for us.""

It will need to be for the Bombers if they are to cling onto their top-eight spot. This week the Bombers meet seventh-placed North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. In the three games after that, they face rivals Carlton, Richmond and Collingwood.

The club might benefit from some important inclusions against the Kangaroos, though. At training on Monday, Stewart Crameri, Dustin Fletcher, Patrick Ryder, Michael Hibberd and David Myers trained as part of the rehabilitation group.

David Zaharakis also ran laps but appears to still be unlikely to be available for selection.

""There's some real positives with players we're going to bring in this week and perform for the team,"" Hocking said.