Kane Cornes remains unconvinced that Essendon are a genuine finals threat despite last night’s 19-point win over Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium.
A dominant second half paved the way for a second-straight Bombers win that saw them square their win-loss ledger to 6-6 and remain in touch with the top eight.
However, the Port Adelaide great questioned whether John Worsfold’s side have an additional plan if their running game can’t be executed.
“I need to see them win a different way,” Cornes told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“Last night; low tackle pressure, low pressure on the game in general, low stoppages … they had that trademark speed.
“They love playing on that ground, you never tip against Essendon regardless of who they are playing. But can they do it in the middle of winter at the MCG against a side that brings a lot of numbers around the ball; they crowd the corridor – what is their Plan B?
“There was nothing I saw last night that says to me they can win a different way, and just their lack of defending last night as well.
“A Hawthorn side in the past would not lose that game if they’re allowed to take 140 marks. There was nothing there that says to me that they’re a top six side.”
Essendon travel to Perth to take on West Coast at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.