Essendon coach Brad Scott says there's no reason to get carried away. But with his Bombers sitting relatively pretty with four wins and two losses, even Scott admits some satisfaction.
"It's good reward for effort," Scott said after Essendon's gritty three-point away win, with Kyle Langford kicking two goals, against Adelaide on Friday night.
"We obviously had a really poor two quarters here two weeks ago, probably two and a half quarters (against Port Adelaide).
"But outside of that, the effort and intent been pretty good for the year and we sit now four and two."
Essendon's initial six games included three away - against both South Australian clubs in Adelaide and the Swans at the SCG.
"It's pretty hard to avoid the odds these days when you look at a fixture, I think we've started favourite in one of those (games)," Scott said.
"I can say we've got a lot of work to do but clearly at least the bookmakers in the industry think the same. We're certainly not getting ahead of ourselves. We know where we're at. But it's good reward for effort to sit here 4-2."
The Bombers next meet Collingwood at the MCG on Anzac Day with growing confidence. "Belief is something you build one step at a time and we've taken another step in that," Scott said after downing the Crows. "But Anzac Day is an unbelievable privilege. It's a unique game."
Scott savoured his first experience as an Essendon coach on Anzac Day last year. "I knew it was huge but last year I was blown away," he said.
"I've been really fortunate in my AFL life to be a part of some really big games and finals and grand finals and Anzac Day sits out on its own.
"It's a huge occasion for the club, we're really looking forward to it. We are privileged to be able to put ourselves in a finals-like atmosphere at round seven, against the reigning premier, so what an opportunity."
Australian Associated Press
