There has been little time for Essendon to enjoy its stunning win over St Kilda with coach Matthew Knights saying the memorable win will count for nothing if the Bombers slip up against lowly Fremantle this week in Perth.

The Bombers handed the Saints their first loss of the season - ending St Kilda's 19-match unbeaten run and any chance it had of becoming the first team since Collingwood in 1929 to go through a home-and-away season unbeaten - at Etihad Stadium on Sunday night.

The two-point win - achieved when St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt missed a set shot from 45 metres out on a 45-degree angle after the final siren - has put the Bombers in eighth spot and in control of their own finals destiny.

Provided the Bombers beat the 15th-placed Dockers in Perth this week and then fading reigning premier Hawthorn in the last game, Knights' team will definitely play in the finals for the first time since 2004.

But Knights is not taking anything for granted and has urged his team to bring the same fanatical approach it displayed against St Kilda as underdogs into this week's clash against Fremantle when the Bombers will be clear favourites.

"The big challenge now is for this group to present the same mentality and attitude to every side like we did against St Kilda," Knights said.

"We haven't been able to establish that so far this season and that is (down to) the maturity of the group."

"We are still battling with our maturity and our inconsistency but we have shown during the year that we can match it with the better sides but we have been hurt by sides beneath us on the ladder."

"So we really have to present with a strong attitude this week (against Fremantle) and the week after and we certainly don't take anything for granted because each side has got its fair share of talent."

Making the Bombers' task of cementing their place in the eight this week against Fremantle that much harder is the fact they lost Dustin Fletcher (hamstring), Courtney Dempsey (hamstring) and in-form ruckman Paddy Ryder (knee) to injury against the Saints.

All three have been ruled out this week along with Bachar Houli but Knights said the Bombers were expected to regain skipper Matthew Lloyd (foot) and pacy wingmen Jason Winderlich (back) and Kyle Reimers, a late withdrawal against the Saints, from injury.

But while it was back to