Essendon senior coach Ben Rutten says breaking a hoodoo against the Western Bulldogs was a motivating factor ahead of his side’s landmark win over the league leaders on Sunday.

The Bombers had lost their past six games against the Bulldogs by an average margin of 54 points prior to yesterday’s clash at Marvel Stadium.

Rather than retreat in another monumental challenge against the Dogs, Rutten said his charges identified the game as an opportunity to turn the tables on their red-hot opponents.

“By and large I’ve been pleased with a lot of areas we’ve improved on and worked our way through, and tonight’s a great example. We hadn’t beaten the Bulldogs since 2014 as a club, but we didn’t shy away from that as a club, playing group and coaching group,” Rutten said post-game.

“They’re the things that this group on their journey is wanting to achieve and re-shape. They’re a really driven group of players and tonight is an example of some of the things the group are working their way through at the moment.”

The 13-point win over the Bulldogs sets up a grandstand finish in the race for finals, with the Bombers sitting two points outside of the top eight with games against Gold Coast and Collingwood to come.

After challenging but falling short against some of this season’s flag fancies, Rutten said his side’s ability to finally claim a top-four scalp was validation of its belief and growth this season.

“I said at the start of the season that I didn’t want to put a ceiling on this group. I’ve got a lot of belief in the group, and we were able to add to that through the draft and through the trade period through Caldwell, Wright and Hind,” he said.

“I just see so much possibility and growth in the group. I didn’t what to put a limit on what they could achieve, and that’s been a theme for us throughout the season.

“I feel we’ve been getting better and today was a more consistent, well-rounded performance. The next little phase of growth for us is repeating that week after week, and we get the opportunity to do that next week against Gold Coast. That’s (consistency) what we’re going to be about for the remainder of the season.”

The Bombers are hopeful of regaining captain Dyson Heppell for their clash against the Suns, with the 29-year-old undergoing surgery on a fractured thumb last week.

Star young midfielder Andrew McGrath is also nearing a return, having been sidelined since suffering a posterior cruciate ligament against Richmond in round 12.

“We’re hoping he’s (Heppell) available next week. He had a similar break to the other thumb he had a few weeks ago, which is pretty unlucky for him. He’ll come back in next week (against Gold Coast) provided he gets through everything in training,” Rutten said.

“He’s (McGrath) out of his brace, feeling good and back training with the group. Now it’s about continuing his build-up and making sure he gets the physical stuff in, decision-making, and game-sense drills. We’ll make a decision (on his return date) as he progresses through that.”