STANDING ovations are usually given after moving speeches, Test cricket centuries and seemingly any musical artist that performs in front of a US-based crowd.

Therefore they aren’t typically reserved for AFL teams walking off venues after suffering a defeat.

But that’s what Essendon players were greeted with at Etihad Stadium on a bizarre Saturday afternoon in May earlier this year following a gutsy loss to North Melbourne.

And it was an applause that, for the players themselves, epitomised the loyal, unwavering support shown by Bombers fans over the past three years.

Finals Week 1

With half of the team’s best players sidelined due to doping suspensions, a young Essendon outfit appeared as if it had hit the wall during the Round 8 clash against the Kangaroos. At halftime, the game appeared over with the then-undefeated North leading by 44 points and the Bombers goalless on the scoreboard.

But an hour later, the inspired Dons had produced a scintillating half of footy to remarkably drag themselves to within a couple of kicks of the Roos.

When the final siren sounded, Essendon was still 14 points in arrears of North. Yet the club’s stunning second-half comeback ensured the post-match atmosphere felt as if the result was reversed.

David Zaharakis says the mood at Essendon has lifted. Photo: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

As Bombers players trudged towards their dressing room with heads bowed, they couldn’t help but look up as they reached the race.

Essendon fans had risen in unison to give an astonishing, unrehearsed standing ovation.

Bombers midfielder David Zaharakis admits it was one of the strangest moments he’d ever experienced in his time at the Bombers — both on and off the field.

“I think ‘Woosha’ after the game said ‘they’re clapping the future of the footy club’, in terms of the younger guys in that side and they played some good footy and showed some resilience that day’,” Zaharakis told foxfooty.com.au.

“It was a weird feeling because you did walk off disappointed with the fact you didn’t win, but you understood in that moment that we played some good footy in the second half, we had a crack and gave it our best effort to try and win the game. You understand why it happened, but if we were a side that were expected to win that game against North Melbourne and we put up that performance, they wouldn’t have been clapping.”

For charismatic Bombers forward Orazio Fantasia, who was playing just his 15th AFL game that day, it was a glimpse into Essendon fans’ passion — a passion that has remained among most supporters despite the taxing four-year supplements saga.

“It was a funny feeling, but it just genuinely shows how much the fans really care about this team,” Fantasia told foxfooty.com.au.

“We just want to do everything we can to give back to them, the way they’ve supported us has been amazing.”

Darcy Parish was one of the young players to stand up in the second half against North Melbourne. Photo: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Following their loss to North Melbourne, the Dons would win just two of their remaining 14 games to finish on the bottom of the ladder.

But for Zaharakis, the mood at the club since players returned for pre-season training has been as if the team had tasted finals success.

Ten players have returned from doping bans, including Zaharakis’ close mate Michael Hurley and gun on-ball duo Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell, while the array of youngsters that were pushed into the deep end last season are more confident and assured of their footy ability then they were 12 months earlier.

It’s why Zaharakis believes the Bombers are on the verge of something special in 2017.

“It’s the high point of my time being here,” Zaharakis said.

“We’ve got such a young group that’s got a desire to learn, improve and compete with older guys for spots. And then the older guys coming back, we’ve got so much talent in that upper echelon of players. So the dynamic of the group is the most exciting it’s been since I’ve been at the footy club.

“Looking forward to next year, it’s a great thing to have and hopefully it does come together next season.”

And win, lose or draw, Bombers fans will be by the club’s side.