Halfway through one of the most promising seasons Essendon has had in years, Matthew Knights has described the emergence of Cale Hooker, Tayte Pears and Paddy Ryder as the highlight.

""All in all we are pleased with the development of a few of our younger players who have bubbled up,"" Knights said.

""Hooker, Pears as key backs and Patrick Ryder’s emergence in the ruck - which whets our appetite for when David Hille does come back to have a ruck duo like those two - there have been some positives.

""We are looking forward to Mark McVeigh, Brent Prismall, AndrewWelsh, Dustin Fletcher and Kyle Reimers all playing some football in the second half of the year - they haven’t played much this year and it's important for them to get out and play some football.

""They are all competitors and love to play so it will be good for them to play for the Essendon Football Club in the second half.""

Knights said the biggest issue facing the club this season - and one that was discussed during the break - has been poor starts.

""In the second half of the year the thing we have to get better at is our starts to the game, particularly the first 10-15 minutes,"" he said.

""The really good sides in the competition do start fast. Geelong and St Kilda week after week come into the game with a great mind-set early and, as a young side, we have to get better at that.

""We also spoke about the contribution of players thus far and understand that our young players have done their very best in a number of areas.

""In regards to win/loss we are five and six and in the bottom half of the ladder even though we have played some decent football and won some decent games. We are not on the favourable side of win/loss and it’s not where we would like to be because we have pretty high standards and would like to win every game.""

To watch the Knights media conference on Bomber.tv click here

Knights has rejected suggestions the Bombers should notch up a convincing win against the improving Demons on Friday saying the game will be tough.

""I went to the Queen’s Birthday game and I don't think that is a true reflection of how they (Melbourne) have played the past four to six weeks,"" he said.

""The St Kilda game on the Gold Coast, they were good in the first half and I think they will be desperate to do well. It won't be an easy game by any stretch and we are coming off a loss ourselves.""

The coach also distanced himself from calls from some sections of the football industry to increase the bench from four players.
 
Knights said football is a game of endurance and resilience and the four-man bench should remain.