ESSENDON'S nine-point win over Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night brought great joy to the players, the club and its supporters during a tumultuous time, coach Mark Thompson says.
With the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's presence continuing to cast a shadow over the club, the Bombers responded with a gutsy performance to atone for a "devastating" one-point loss to Melbourne last weekend.
In the process, Essendon breathed new life into its season ahead of a crucial clash against Geelong next Friday night.
"It was an important win for the club for the players, the staff. For the supporters. Give us something please. Give us some good news," Thompson said.
"That's what I love most about it. The players get to spend a couple of hours of a long week doing what they love doing and get to do it well and enjoy it. Fantastic."
With ASADA issuing show-cause notices to 34 past and present Bombers players for their part in the controversial 2012 supplements program, Thompson spoke of the toll the process was taking on his players.
"We're feeling lonely, isolated and feel like it's just us," he said.
"We feel like everyone's against us and we've just got to go out and have fun. And have some success and have some joy in our life.
"There's not much joy around."
As Adelaide worked its way back into the contest and threatened to overrun the Bombers with a four-goal to two third term, Thompson took the opportunity to reference last week's disappointing fade-out in his three-quarter time address.
The Bombers gave up five goals to two in the final term against the Demons.
"I did, which I rarely do, but I thought it meant that much," Thompson said.
"I wanted them to be, not shaken, but aware, be present in their mind that there was a chance they could feel like they did last week, and maybe be worse, and sometimes that can just drive people.
"I hope it did. And I thought we handled the pressure of the last quarter reasonably well."
The Bombers now turn their attention to the encounter with the Cats at the same venue next Friday night.
Thompson confirmed former Cat Paul Chapman's availability for the clash, after being rested on Saturday night, while Jake Carlisle, who is battling a case of knee tendinitis, will be monitored at training this week.
"He'll be frothing at the mouth if I say no. He'll be playing," Thompson said of Chapman's prospects.
But one of the stars of the win over the Crows, Michael Hibberd, who collected 30 touches in a gritty display, is in serious doubt after he pulled up sore from a severe kick in the shin.
"He'll be doubtful I'd say. He's got a pretty bad bleed. It's touch and go. He'd have to do everything right," Thompson said.
