Essendon are still a good AFL side – Geelong are just better.

The Bombers suffered their first loss of the season in the Friday night blockbuster at Etihad Stadium when the Cats pulled away in the second half and won by 28 points.

Coach James Hird said there was a lot to like about their team and was particularly happy with his players’ endeavour.

But poor ball use in the second term, when they threatened to take control of the game, and a horribly-wasteful 1.9 in the third term left the gate open for Geelong.

“Geelong are a very good counter-attacking team and they certainly hurt you if you don’t use the ball in the right way,” Hird said.

“At times, we didn’t use the ball out of those contests well enough or make it hurt enough.

“But when you kick 1.9, it hurts you too.”

Hird said much of their game had stood up against the Cats, who have been one of the league’s benchmarks for six years.

“I still think we need to be braver and take the game on more,” he said.

“But certainly, there are no immediate flaws that come to mind, that we have to change our game style or (make) wholesale changes with our players.”

Essendon had made wholesale changes for this match, recalling six players.

Hird admitted that led to some rust early, but noted the changes were forced.

“Six changes is a lot and you don’t want to go down that path too often,” he said.

He hopes Brent Stanton and Courtenay Dempsey, who missed the game through injury, will return next week.

Hird also defended the decision to leave out Paddy Ryder, who was available after a three-week suspension.

He said it was a choice between Ryder and fellow ruck-forward Scott Gumbleton, who had also been in good form.

“It was a good call to keep playing Scotty … I still think it was a good decision,” Hird said.

“You don’t want to go missing for three weeks.”

Hird also hopes to find a spot for Ryder next week, while small forward Alwyn Davey was subbed off in the third term with hamstring tightness.