ESSENDON'S finals drought has continued, but coach Mark Thompson has praised the club's season as a success.

 

The Bombers' 12-point elimination final loss to North Melbourne on Saturday night meant they have been knocked out in the first week of their past three finals campaigns.

 

They have not won a final since 2004, but Thompson said the Bombers had learned plenty out of the year under duress.

 

"I'd say it's a massive success. They've been put under incredible pressure. If you just think about where they are right now, their headspace, to play a final is an incredible effort," Thompson said.

 

"I think we've had a good year. We've introduced some new players. We've got some players who've been around who are playing their best football for a long time, and I think we've taught them how to play footy that they understand the reasons things happen.

 

"They're better equipped to go forward. We haven't had a gap year, I think we've had a decent year."

 

Essendon led for three-and-a-half quarters against the Roos and held a 33-point advantage early in the third term.

 

But the Kangaroos kicked seven goals in the third term and two in the final four minutes to take the win and progress to a semi-final clash with Geelong next week.

 

For most of the season Thompson has spoken about the club's battle to remain consistent, and although he knows the solution, the outgoing senior coach isn't sure when the players will implement it.

 

"To build a good club it takes a long time to work with people. The young guys coming in, it's hard to get that change and buy-in from everybody. There's a lot of inconsistencies," he said.

 

"It's got to be done quickly. It's got to be worked on at training, it's got to be part of who they are, they've got to believe in it, they've got to practice it, and then they've got to play it.

 

"If they don't really buy in and believe in it, then we'll never be able to achieve it. That's where the group is at I think. They've got ability, we can score, they're made of the right stuff, they're beautiful young men and are willing to work hard.

 

"But that's the one part of their game they need to get right, because unfortunately for them, this is part of footy."

 

Dyson Heppell finished his stellar season with 34 disposals and captain Jobe Watson was solid through the midfield, but it was young star Joe Daniher who emerged in the defeat.

The 20-year-old kicked four goals from full-forward and looked threatening every time he went near the ball, in the breakout game of his short career.

 

His final haul lifted him to 28 goals for the season, making him the leading goalkicker at the club in just his second year.

 

"He was fantastic. He put doubt in North Melbourne's defenders. They worried about him," Thompson said.

 

"They were aware and conscious of his height and his ability to mark the ball. It was a great game from him. 

"He's certainly had a good year, considering he's only played only five games before this year. It's a massive bonus for the club."

 

2014 – North Melbourne 14.9 (93) defeated Essendon 12.9 (81)

Essendon jumps to a 33-point lead early in the third term but concedes seven goals in the quarter and get overrun. Kangaroo forward Drew Petrie kicked two goals in the dying minutes to crush the Bombers' hopes of progressing.

 

2011 - Carlton 21.21 (149) defeated Essendon 13.9 (87)

In James Hird's first season as coach the Bombers limped into the finals, despite a fast start to the year. They were no match for their arch-rivals in the elimination final, capitulating in a 62-point defeat and allowing the Blues 44 scoring shots.

 

2009 – Adelaide 26.10 (156) defeated Essendon 10.10 (70)

The Bombers beat Hawthorn in round 22 to qualify for the finals but didn't give a yelp when there. Playing without a ruckman, the Bombers were defeated by 96 points, registering a new club-record loss in finals.