ESSENDON big man Patrick Ryder says his team remains upbeat despite a disappointing loss to the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Friday night.
The Swans won by 22 points after blitzing the Bombers at the start of the game with a five-goal-to-one first term.
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Although the visitors fought back well to make a game of it in the remaining three quarters, they got no closer than 10 points.
Ryder says the Bombers failed to mount a strong attack on the footy and were slow with their ball movement in the opening term.
"We didn't really go out there and attack it. We were on the back foot a little bit," Ryder said after the match.
"It's a team mentality - once one person starts doing it, not really taking the ball and backing themselves, everybody starts to follow."
Ryder finished as one of Essendon's best on a disappointing night for the club, booting two goals in addition to four marks and15 touches.
Although mostly used up forward in the second half, Ryder also had 28 hit-outs against Swans ruckman Mike Pyke.
The Bombers, who drop to 10-8 after the end of a three-game winning run, face Richmond next Friday night at the MCG, with matches against West Coast, Gold Coast and Carlton to conclude the home-and-away rounds.
Ryder said it was pleasing to finish the final three quarters on a positive note, given the Bombers managed to outscore the Swans and were within two goals of the home side in the third term.
"The guys take a lot of confidence out of the second half," Ryder said.
"We know that we can win, we have just got to get back to training and really back ourselves.
"It is back to the drawing board and getting ready for the Tigers next week."
