Essendon have paid a massive price for Sunday's gallant two-point AFL win over St Kilda, with three players now out of action.

Dustin Fletcher (hamstring), Patrick Ryder (knee) and Courtenay Dempsey (hamstring) were all on the bench in the last quarter, as the Saints stormed home to nearly steal the win.

Coach Matthew Knights says they are likely to miss the last two games of the regular season.

Brent Stanton (hip) also struggled late in the game, but should remain available.

The Bombers took eighth spot from Port Adelaide by becoming the first team this season to beat the Saints.

Essendon will now play Fremantle at Subiaco next Sunday, before ending the regular season with an MCG match against defending premiers Hawthorn.

"Realistically, Dempsey and Fletcher look like they're going to be two-week hamstrings at least," Knights said.

"I would have thought Patrick, he's experiencing soreness at the back of the knee, it doesn't look like it's a bad one, but I think it would be at least one, maybe three."

In more bad injury news for the Bombers, Bachar Houli's season is probably over because of a leg injury.

Knights is optimistic captain Matthew Lloyd and Jason Winderlich will return from injury for next Sunday's Subiaco match against Fremantle, while Cale Hooker could return to back up Tom Bellchambers in the ruck.

A win against the Dockers could cement Essendon's finals berth.

Regardless of the line-up, Knights will expect the same determination that caused Sunday's upset win.

"My attitude is always this - we've got 46 on our list, even if we only had 23 available, it's the responsibility of those 23 to do the club proud and play hard," he said.

"I'm not too fussed who I put in next week, as long as they play our game style and present with an attitude to win.

"You can't concern yourself with injuries, that's out of my hands."

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