Regardless of where Essendon finish this AFL season, midfielder Brent Stanton feels it will be a success.

After losing eight straight matches, the Bombers have won five of their last six and are 12th, only two games out of the top eight.

While Essendon have a good draw over the last five weeks of the regular season, Stanton said development, not finals, remain the only priority for the improving team.

They impressed again on Saturday with an upset eight-goal win over Collingwood, a massive blow to the Magpies' top-four hopes.

"We haven't really spoken about it, we're just looking to win as many games as possible," Stanton said about making the top eight.

"There are a lot of sides ahead of us and as many games as we win, it's going to be a fantastic first year for (coach) Matthew Knights and the young guys who have had a chance to get in there and have a go at the AFL.

"This year has been pretty much a developing year for the football club.

"We've lost a few of the senior guys over the last three or four years.

"It's just encouraging to see that all these young guys are starting to play really good footy, so finals haven't really even been spoken about around here."

Stanton is among a group of young Essendon midfielders who have shown encouraging form, particularly in the last month.

He said the midfielders made a conscious decision to improve their defensive work, after the early-season emphasis on an attacking style of play.

"We came together as a group (during the break) and wanted to set some objectives and try to get that contested ball back into our game," Stanton said.

"It was pretty good early in the year and we went through a patch where it wasn't up to scratch.

"We thought if we started to concentrate on that and started to win some clearances, everything else would take care of itself."

Essendon's season has picked up despite a series of injuries in the last few weeks, especially to more experienced players such as Dustin Fletcher and Mark McVeigh.

"We've been struck down a little bit by injury this year, it's been exciting for the young guys who are getting a chance," Stanton said.

"Who knows what could have happened if all the senior guys were up and going?

"We're excited and you can see the youth and the enthusiasm that all these players are bringing to the side.

"The older guys are really driving off that."

Meanwhile, Essendon have announced that long-time West Coast fitness coach Stuart Cormack will replace John Quinn as their high performance manager.

Quinn will leave the club at the end of this season after a decade at Windy Hill, while Cormack has been with the Eagles for eight years.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP