Disappointed Essendon coach Ben Rutten has already led the Bombers to heights the footy world didn't expect this season, but knows he has an even bigger battle on his hands if he wants to lead his young charges into the finals. 

The Bombers missed the chance to consolidate their spot inside the top eight when they fell to a disappointing 13-point loss to the Giants on Sunday evening and now face the prospect of missing out on September football.

But Rutten is not concerned by whether his team can regain eighth place and play finals this year and says his team must focus on finding a way to regain the form they have displayed throughout the majority of the season.

"We are not going to get too far in the finals if we play like we have during the last couple of weeks," Rutten said.

"Our priority at the moment is to get our game back to where it was for most part of the season."

Rutten's young team appeared one step closer to finals football when it led the Giants by 16 points at half-time on Sunday, but could manage just one goal after the main break to fall to its 10th loss of the campaign.

"It was a disappointing game from us," Rutten said.

"We are far from the finished product and have still got a lot of improvement and a lot of growth to go in our group.

"The last couple of weeks have been below where we have been throughout the season."