Travis Colyer learned a valuable AFL lesson a couple of years ago that could well sum up the next six weeks for Essendon.

In short – get your act together, don’t rely on anything or anyone else, and go for it.

After a month of sharp contrasts, the Bombers are well placed heading into Saturday’s match against old rivals North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Essendon are 10th, only a game outside the top eight, and will start warm favourites against a side that is second last and out of finals contention.

But the Kangaroos will also fancy their chances of a major upset.

They have shaken up their side with five changes, including Todd Goldstein’s headline-grabbing omission.

And it is only three weeks since last-placed Brisbane caught Essendon at the perfect time, pulling off probably the upset of the season.

That came a week after Sydney came from the clouds to beat the Bombers after the siren.

The Swans and Lions losses left Essendon’s season teetering, but they have responded with big wins over Collingwood and St Kilda.

“The Brisbane (loss) just highlighted what happens when we don’t play our way and we don’t bring the intensity, don’t bring the mindset,” Colyer said.

“We just rock up and walk out there, expecting the guy next to me is probably going to do it.

“It was more just disappointment. That wasn’t us.

“I don’t think we necessarily took a step back, which might have been how it was perceived … we just didn’t play how we expect.”

It brings to mind the advice that Matthew Egan, then an assistant coach at Essendon, gave to Colyer around 2014.

After five seasons he had not played 50 senior games and it was time for the speedy utility to take the next step.

Rather than hover in the VFL and wait for someone in the senior team to be axed, Colyer was told to demand promotion with his form.

“Just go about what you can do,” Colyer said.

“Don’t wait for something to happen – go and get it.”

Colyer had a big run of AFL games through 2014-15, before a foot stress fracture prematurely ended his season.

Then he was one of the Essendon players banned for last year because of the club’s supplements debacle.

So far this season, he has played every game.

“Just playing games, week-in and week-out with the same guys, it allows them to understand how you play, you understand how they play,” Colyer said.

“More than anything, it’s just pleasing to be able to have some continuity and some consistency in terms of week-in, week-out football.”