Essendon have found the perfect cure for the Monday-itis that threatened to pain them all season-long - two successive AFL wins and better than expected news about the injury to defender Henry Slattery.

Seemingly headed for a dark winter after eight straight losses, the Bombers have suddenly found a spring in their step.

A 35-point win over Carlton at the MCG on Sunday - their second in a row and fourth for the season - helped them clamber further away from the foot of the AFL ladder.

And the Bombers were also buoyed by news Slattery's cheekbone injury was not as bad as first thought after he came off second-best in a sickening collision with Blues forward Brendan Fevola.

Slattery bravely backed into the flight of the ball, and wore Fevola's accidental knee to his head as a result.

But Essendon's Andrew Welsh said Slattery had been able to celebrate the win with his teammates - his injury a minor crack to his cheekbone rather than the severe fracture that had been initially feared.

Welsh said Slattery's courageous act had been pivotal in setting up the Bombers' surprise win over the Blues, and revealed Fevola had contacted Slattery to check on his health.

"It was a super courageous effort, and it really set us up for the day," Welsh said.

"To do what he did five minutes into the game is a courageous effort and not many guys would fall into the hole in front of Fevola.

"I heard that Fev gave him a call last night which shows great sportsmanship.

"I know that injuries are part of footy, but for Henry to do that so early in the game really set up the day for us."

Slattery was concussed in the incident and won't play against Fremantle at Subiaco on Sunday.

Welsh said the feeling around Windy Hill was a far cry from previous weeks.

"Over a couple of months the team has gone through some hard times and you would come to the club on a Monday feeling a bit sick and really feeling down on ourselves," Welsh said.

"For the younger guys who have really been plugging away hard to see some reward is really good.

"We've accepted our roles and game style - it's taken a few games, but we're really starting to find our way."

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