Gold Coast Suns' skipper and Brownlow medal fancy, Noah Anderson, is buoyed by connection, as his side charts a path to a breakthrough finals appearance in his first year as captain.
The Suns' pursuit of a finals berth will come down to the final match of the home and away season, after Damien Hardwick's men stumbled against Port Adelaide last Friday.
It was a surprising hiccup, but Anderson says that the processes they've followed all year were relied upon in the aftermath.
"We reviewed it similarly to other games. There are some clear themes we can improve heading into this week, and it's not something we haven't done in the past. I have full confidence that we'll get a good response," said Anderson.
"We took our learnings. It was another opportunity for us to play in a finals-like environment. They played the moments better than us on the night, and it'll be a big learning for us as a group moving forward."
Although Essendon have nothing but pride to play for, Anderson insists they're not an opponent the Suns are looking past.
"Any team is a dangerous opponent, we're still playing AFL footy," he said. "To walk out tomorrow night and think they're going to be a pushover would be a big mistake.
"We're approaching this with excitement. We've been waiting a long time to put ourselves in a spot like this, where we have an opportunity to play finals. There's a lot of excitement in the group; it's a very special place to be at the moment.
"We've had a really good year and played some really good footy. We understand what happens if we lose. It's a great opportunity for us."
Anderson credits strong relationships for dealing with the mounting pressure of qualifying for September action.
"(We deal with it) just by talking about it, by being honest with ourselves, and being really connected as teammates and as friends. It's about getting to a space where you're ready to perform, have fun and play together.
"I feel like by establishing such good relationships over the last five or six years, we're able to have those honest, non-judgemental conversations about how boys are feeling, and I'm really confident that the group's in a great space. This is the spot where we've always wanted to be."
The rescheduled clash with Essendon, after weather necessitated the fixture's postponement, means the Suns will be playing their third match in 11 days, but Anderson doesn't foresee this being a factor.
"(We're a) good, fit group up here, and the whole list is ready to go. It's a must-win game, so I don't think there'll be many tired legs out there," he said.
Damien Hardwick alluded to difference makers Dan Rioli and Bailey Humphrey approaching selection this week, when speaking to the media after the Port Adelaide loss, and Anderson spoke with excitement on potential returns for the much-loved teammates.
"Pretty handy (inclusions) I would've thought. (They're) two guys with immense talent, who can just provide a real spark for our group," he said.
If Gold Coast defeat Essendon by the margin many expect, they will find themselves seventh on the ladder, booking a date with Fremantle, in Perth, in an elimination final.
