ESSENDON had its biggest win of the season yesterday out at Windy Hill, comfortably defeating an injury depleted Melbourne.

It was a full four quarter performance from Nat Wood’s Bombers, with the coach noting post match that “it’s something we’ve been trying to build.”

“I think we’ve had some good moments in most games, but stringing it together for a whole quarter and then backing it up from quarter to quarter,” Wood said. “I think most games we’ve started the games pretty well, like quarter one’s been pretty good. But then we’ve either dropped away at the back end of the quarter or later on in the game.

“I thought today was a really consistent effort across the four quarters. But also in terms of that contribution, that’s what we’re still trying to build. I spoke about it last week. I thought we’d taken some steps forward in our system, but still plenty of steps to go and I thought today we took a few more steps forward.

“In terms of understanding the roles, and knowing when your role is to hold some structure and allow some space for someone else and, but also to being able to then take your moment. I think we’re probably cleaner today than we have been in other days, like cleaner in the air, cleaner on the ground, and probably our handball receives to people in space.”

Wood also acknowledged the big crowd that had turned up at Windy Hill yesterday afternoon.

“I mean, it’s a stunning day for footy,” she said. “I think everyone enjoyed turning up today … we’ve had a couple of home games and haven’t been able to get a win, so to get one in such in front of such a vocal crowd, it’s great reward for the players, but it’s great reward for everyone that comes along as well.”

She also agreed that the size and noise of the crowd had a positive effect on the players.  

“The stands, it feels like you’re on the ground, and we’ve only started playing here as of last year,” Wood said. “We’ve really made a, a strong focus to try and connect with the community and to get the people that used to come down to Windy Hill games to come on down and relive some of that nostalgia, and I think the players really enjoy it as well. And, you know, the game’s tough, right? So anything that helps you to walk a little bit taller I think helps.”