ESSENDON coach James Hird insists the Bombers' match fitness is no longer an issue despite a last-quarter scare from winless Carlton, but the news isn't so good for Adam Cooney who is expected to miss three weeks with a hamstring injury.
The Bombers led by 41 points at the five-minute mark of the last quarter at the MCG, but the wasteful Blues blazed back to within 14 points, before Essendon iced a 21-point win.
Hird said his team's lack of pre-season practice games – while about 18 players served a provisional suspension as they awaited the findings of an AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal – was not a factor in the Bombers' fadeout.
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He attributed it predominantly to Carlton's strong performance, particularly the Blues' dominance in contested possessions (159-117) and clearances (53-29), along with a six-day break after an epic encounter with reigning premier Hawthorn, which he said "took a lot out of" his players.
"We didn't play our best football today … but the guys came off a six-day break and a huge game against Hawthorn and fronted up and played reasonably well and took the points. We're happy with the win," Hird said post-match.
"Obviously the preparation (for our season) was not great (but) we're 2-1 … (and) we were in a position to win that Sydney game (in round one).
"We didn't really set expectations (because) we weren't sure where we were going to be at physically (but) I think we're in a good spot.
"I don't think it was a factor even this week. The reason Carlton stayed in the game is that … our contested possession rate was significantly lower … That meant that they had the ball in their forward half for a period (in the last quarter) that is probably unacceptable.
"So I wouldn't be putting fitness or preparation down for the fact we didn't win that last quarter … It's not the way we want to play."
Hird said he was excited about the annual Anzac Day clash with Collingwood, but he will be without the services of Cooney for three weeks with a "small hamstring".
WATCH: Click here for James Hird's full press conference
He praised best-afield skipper Jobe Watson (36 disposals and 1.1) as "an incredible leader" whose performances have improved each week this season. The Essendon coach was also pleased with how his backline had held up under pressure, and the impact of speedster Travis Collyer (13 touches, seven score involvements and a goal), who he said had become a dangerous and "very important player".
Hird didn't forget the Bomber fans, who have suffered throughout the supplements saga.
"One thing the players are very conscious of, and we're very conscious of, is we want to give Essendon supporters something to be happy about ... If you're an Essendon supporter you can turn up on Monday and crow about your team, you can talk us up and do whatever, and that's a different thing for Essendon supporters over the last two years.
"We feel like we've got an obligation to perform for our supporters because they've been so good, and we're just rapt that you run into an Essendon supporter at the moment and they're smiling, and they're happy. That's a nice feeling."
Hird appeared loathe to talk about Friday's AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal verdict, in which the club's former sport scientist Stephen Dank was found guilty of 10 breaches of the AFL Anti-Doping Code but was cleared of administering the banned substance Thymosin-Beta 4.
"To tell you the truth I haven’t read it. I’m not sure exactly what’s happened," Hird said. "The only thing I was told is that the Essendon players would be very happy with the result, and that’s great.
"For us, we’ve got footy to play and we’re excited that we can move on."
