Matthew Lloyd calls on senior Essendon figures to lift and turn around fall from grace
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Where does the blame sit for Essendon's fall from grace, on the eve of finals, yet again?
According to Matthew Lloyd, it's on the senior players and coach Brad Scott, for a lack of support for their young playing group.
Six weeks ago, the Bombers were sitting in the top four, but have since lost to Geelong, Adelaide, Melbourne, St Kilda and most recently, the Suns.
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They now sit in 10th on the ladder, with just two home-and-away matches left to attempt to secure a spot in the top eight and put an end to their 20-year winless finals drought.
Now, Lloyd has called on Scott and the club's veterans, to help find the "edge" that has dropped off yet again.
Essendon players react after their loss to the Suns in round 22. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"I still think they lack killer instinct. Where is the edge?," Lloyd said on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night.
"They lack a strong core senior playing group that take you places, take you deep and get you winning game after game."
Lloyd is most worried about the handful of young players, who have not lived up to their hype.
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"The kids, I don't think they're tough enough," he said.
"I think that man Nik Cox, I don't think he fights hard enough, or scraps hard enough. I think (Harrison) Jones. He needs to fight and scrap harder.
"Archie Perkins is another one that I just don't think fights."
Round 22 Rising Star, Nate Caddy, is dejected after Essendon's loss to the Suns. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"That's not on them, that's on Brad Scott and the senior players, and that's on the club.
Kane Cornes suggested that senior players, like Mason Redman and Ben McKay, who he feels are not aggressive enough in demanding greatness.
Meanwhile, Caroline Wilson has suggested there is internal "frustration" regarding the lack of support from key stakeholders, that is holding the club back from retaining a spot in the top eight for a prolonged period.
Essendon and Gold Coast players engage in a halftime brawl. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"I think there is frustration around ... the high profile supporter groups, the influencers at the club," Wilson said.
"I think there was frustration mid year, 'don't get excited, we're not that good', now it's like, 'don't think it's all doom and gloom'.
"I still think there are cultural problems at Essendon."
The Bombers still have a chance to make the top eight, but will need to beat ladder leaders Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Friday night, before their final clash of the regular season against the fifth-placed Lions at the Gabba.
