There have been some great performances so far this season. Here is a look at what has gone right in 2015.

The Backline

The Bomber defence is standing tall this season. The side has already faced six of the top eight teams, yet has conceded more than 100 points on just one occasion.

Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker have performed well each week even though the defence has come under fierce pressure, particularly in the last month.

Hooker made the All-Australian side last season and has maintained his excellent form, while his defensive partner could be in line for similar honours this season according to Essendon great and media commentator Matthew Lloyd.

Both Hooker and Hurley are in the top ten in the AFL for marks and rebounds from defensive 50.

Zach Merrett

In just his second season at the club, the speedy number seven is giving the Essendon faithful plenty to cheer about.

The 19 year old already has 31 games under his belt and has become an essential part of the Bomber line up.

He provides excellent defensive pressure through the midfield and in the forward line.

Merrett uses the ball well and regularly shows maturity beyond his years.

The Cobden recruit has a knack of chasing down opponents. He’s laid 64 tackles this season, to rank 12th overall in the AFL.

Merrett will don the sash for a further three years after signing with the club earlier this season.

Travis Colyer

The West Australian has taken his game to a new level this season.

After sporadic performances early in his career, Colyer has now become one on the side’s most important players.

He hasn’t missed a game since the middle of last season and has played important roles in the victories over Hawthorn, Carlton and St Kilda this year.

Colyer puts his improvement down to an increased level of fitness.

The quick on-baller has kicked 11 goals so far this year.

Tackling Pressure

The pressure may have been a little off against Geelong, but for the majority of the season, the Bombers tackling has been excellent.

Even against the Eagles, Essendon recorded an impressive 97 tackles.

Ben Howlett is leading the way with 73 tackles to his name to be ranked second in the competition. As a team, Essendon are ranked fourth overall.

Closing the gap on injuries

Essendon will welcome back some key players shortly after the bye.

David Myers, Heath Hocking, David Zaharakis and Jason Winderlich are on track to return in the coming weeks.

Myers and Hocking will provide some extra inside grunt through the midfield and offer relief to Ben Howlett, Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell who have shouldered a lot of work through the middle of the ground.

Zaharakis and Winderlich have excellent goal sense and provide the outside run to open up opposition defences.

Forward options

The impressive start to Shaun Edwards’ Bomber career and the form of Shaun McKernan provides two new options for the Bombers forward set-up.

Edwards spent his first year and a half at Essendon in the VFL side and after a string of excellent performances was given an opportunity to ‘Don The Sash’.

Matthew Lloyd said the 21 year old could be the ‘X factor’ the side has been missing and his 17 disposals and two goals in the match against West Coast suggest he has a bright future.

McKernan played an excellent first half in the game against North Melbourne, but has since returned to the rookie list. AFL rules allow one rookie to be promoted at the halfway mark and that could open the door for McKernan to play a more significant role in the second half of the season.

VFL Bombers flying

The Essendon VFL side sit second on the ladder with nine wins from their 11 games so far.

Head of Player Development Mark Neeld, said before the start of the season the priority of the VFL program was to produce and prepare AFL ready players. The fact the program has done this while still winning nine games is an excellent result.

Under the tutelage of Hayden Skipworth and Paul Corrigan and a core of mature VFL listed players, the side has flourished.

Shaun Edwards, Orazio Fantasia, Kyle Langford, Elliott Kavanagh and Will Hams have gained confidence in the VFL before going on to make impressive contributions in the senior side.

Jayden Laverde is edging closer to a call-up in his first year at the club while Conor McKenna has been a revelation in the forward line.

Jason Winderlich and Nick Kommer have returned to the VFL side in recent weeks after overcoming long term injuries.