JAMES Hird has flagged changes to Essendon's side, with out-of-form ruckman Tom Bellchambers potentially in the gun, after a 69-point hammering from Geelong in a crucial clash at Etihad Stadium.
The Bombers were dominated by the Cats and again lacked potency on Saturday night, booting just seven goals from 52 inside-50s.
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Essendon entered the match as the lowest-ranked side for scoring efficiency and, with their season in danger of spiralling out of control, the Bombers couldn't find an avenue to goal.
"The way we're kicking the ball is not what we would like," Hird said post-match.
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"I don't think it's crisis time. We can't cut their feet off and put new ones on. If we could we might have tonight, but we can't.
"We didn't kick the ball well, we didn't handle the pressure of Geelong and when there wasn't pressure we didn't execute our skills."
In perfect conditions under the closed roof, Hird's outfit was held goalless in the opening half for the first time since 1984 - with six behinds their lowest first half score since 1968 - and the players were booed from the field at the long break.
"Our supporters are extremely passionate and extremely loyal. They've got every right to be disappointed in the way we played tonight," Hird said.
"I don't think booing's the right way - we didn't play well enough in the first half and our supporters deserve more."
The Bombers have slipped to 4-6 and 12th spot on the ladder ahead of potentially season-defining clashes against surprise packet West Coast and back-to-back premiers Hawthorn.
"We can turn it around. You can turn it around with a bit of hard work and practice and if you kick a couple of early goals," Hird said.
"It's a thoroughly disappointing performance tonight, but it's not the end of the world in that we have another game in seven days time.
"A lot of players will look at their game and see if they're ready to play next week and we'll bring some new players in."
When asked if the Bombers' ruck setup would be scrutinised, Hird replied: "Yeah, we'll assess and have a look at it".
Bellchambers was not injured when he was subbed out of the match at half-time with just three possessions, two marks and 16 hit-outs.
The big man is averaging less than eight touches over the past five rounds – when the Bombers have lost four games – and has only kicked one major.
GWS recruit Jonathan Giles (two goals) is waiting in the wings, while ruck-forward Shaun McKernan (two) was third-best in the VFL team's curtain-raiser on Saturday night.
"We'll see what happens with Tommy during the week. Everyone has periods in your career when you don't play exactly the way you want to play, and you learn from those periods," Hird said.
Skipper Jobe Watson (groin) should return to face the Eagles in Perth, although Dustin Fletcher (groin) has rarely travelled west in recent times and Hird said he would be reluctant to rush back Jason Winderlich after his return from a back injury in the curtain-raiser.
