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ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson says the club's thrilling win over Adelaide helped deliver some much-needed joy into the lives of his suffering players.
The Bombers produced a gritty last quarter to hold off a fast-finishing Adelaide by nine points and avoid a repeat of last weekend when Essendon blew a commanding five goal lead against Melbourne.
While the victory has come at a cost, with dashing defender Michael Hibberd in doubt for next week's game against Geelong with a corked leg, Thompson said the performance was a significant one given the ongoing toll the supplement scandal was taking on the club.
Thompson agreed with Brendon Goddard's post-game assessment that the players felt it was them against the football world, as the club ramps up its legal battle against the ASADA probe into its 2012 supplement program.
When asked to explain what Goddard meant by describing last night's win as a "line in the sand" moment, Thompson said: "Line in the sand would be that we're feeling lonely, isolated and feel like it's just us."
"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."
Asked if the supplement mess was weighing on the players, Thompson said: "It sure is."
But last night's win helped buoy the mood, as Essendon produced a seven-goal opening to lead at one stage by 36 points before Adelaide's comeback.
"We were pleased with the victory, it would have been disastrous if we had have gone down and lost again with a big lead two weeks in a row," Thompson said.
"We've got to have some fun in the week and this is the fun time for them.
Thompson said he took the rare step of reminding his players about last week's fade-out with his team up by 15 points at three quarter time last night.
"I did (remind the players) which I rarely do, but I thought it (winning) meant that much," Thompson said.
"I wanted them to be, not shaken, but be aware. Be present in their mind and conscious 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."
Former Cat Paul Chapman will definitely take on his old side on Friday night but Thompson confirmed Hibberd was doubtful to play the Cats.
Jake Carlisle would also have a fitness test to prove he is over a knee problem.
Thompson lauded the leadership of stand-in captain Goddard, who lifted magnificently racking up 16 last term possessions to help hold-off the Crows.
Thompson said working with Goddard at Essendon has changed his perception of the former Saint.
"He has actually set standards in terms of on ground talk and delivering feedback and setting things up and what he has added here is that he is getting the group together now, not just working individuals," Thompson said.
"He's done really well, I'm really pleased for him.
"Coming from another club not knowing him at all, you get this impression and perception of who he was and he's completely different. He really cares and he's a real pro and he's been good for the football club."
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