The players that need to lift to stop Bombers from 2023-like finish to the season

David King has called upon the Essendon back six to stand up ahead of tonight’s clash with Collingwood.

The Bombers have lost three of their last four and are at risk of slipping back down the ladder, as they did in 2023.

King believes the onus is on the club’s key defenders to lift, particularly given the heavy investment of the club in Ben McKay.

“I think it’s critical that the key defenders of the Bombers take control,” King told SEN Breakfast.

“They’ve been a bit off the last three to four weeks and it shouldn’t be the case.

“Last year they had the 10th rated defensive 50 in the competition. They went and got Ben McKay. This year, they’ve slipped from that ranking and gone further down the tree.

“Last six weeks they’re rated 11th and they’re better than that given the talent in that back half. Tonight they just have to stand up and get the job done.”

King believes the Dons need a big performance to reaffirm their status as a top eight side.

“They’ve conceded 102, 92 and 96 the last three weeks and lost three of their last four games,” he said.

“I don’t want this to turn into a repeat of 2023, where they only won three of their last 10 and two of those were against West Coast and North.

“They’re just sliding, for me. It’s sliding that way. I want one of their defenders to take a stand. Certainly Jordan Ridley and Ben McKay can do it. I just want to see tonight a performance that says ‘you’re not getting through here’.

“Can they do it? Someone needs to take a stand down back.”

Essendon has recalled Dylan Shiel, Jake Kelly and Nate Caddy for tonight’s clash with Collingwood, with veterans Dyson Heppell and Todd Goldstein managed.