The Essendon fc were gallant in defeat, round 5 afl

A five-day break since the Anzac Day clash has taken its toll on a gallant Essendon with the Bombers going down to Hawthorn by one-point at a rain-soaked MCG on Sunday.

Once again the Bombers, who have now lost four games in a row since beating reigning premiers Sydney in the opening game, played well without winning just as they did in the past two matches against the Bulldogs and Collingwood.

This was a courageous effort from Essendon considering the Bombers had only had a five-day break coming into the game - following Tuesday's Anzac Day clash against Collingwood - while the Hawks had enjoyed a nine-day break.

The Bombers had jumped the Hawks to lead by 16 points at quarter-time but that margin had been cut to just a goal at half-time.

In the second half the Bombers' veteran centre-half-forward Scott Lucas threatened to win the game for Essendon as Jobe Watson and Jason Johnson - in his best showing for the year - continued to surge the Bombers forward.

Hawthorn led by nine points at the last change, Essendon could have been excused for being overrun in the final term particularly in a match which had been played in wet conditions following heavy pre-match rain at the MCG.

But as the rain pelted down in the final term it took a moment of sheer brilliance from the Hawks' pocket dynamo in attack Mark Williams to win the game for the home side.

Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy admitted his disappointment at again seeing the Bombers get so close to a much-needed win.

"It's a very frustrating period for our club, no doubt about that," Sheedy said.

"But that is the competition at the moment - the teams that are getting up are getting up by a kick or two."But we had our opportunities to win the game today and we should have."

HAWTHORN: 1.4, 6.5, 11.7, 12.12 (84)
ESSENDON: 4.2, 7.5, 9.10, 12.11 (83)

Essendon Goals:
Lucas 3, Hird 2, Lovett 2, Bolton, Heffernan, Hille, Winderlich, Bradley

Essendon Best: Watson, J.Johnson, Lucas, McVeigh, McPhee