Saturday night brought Essendon's disappointing 2024 campaign to a close with a flattering 20-point defeat to Brisbane at the Gabba, locking in 11th spot on the AFL ladder.

Though coach Brad Scott sees a number of positive signs for the club heading into the upcoming spring and summer, albeit in areas that also need improvement.

"From a player perspective, Caldwell and Durham have had terrific years... Nate Caddy's come into the side, Archie Roberts' come into the side. There's a lot coming through that we can be pretty excited about," the Bomber coach said.

"But we need to improve our list, like everyone.

"We've got some areas we'd like to improve both forward, back and midfield."

The game itself was unconvincing from an external perspective, but a fourth-quarter flurry of junk-time goals may wallpaper over some cracks in Brad Scott's side.

"The end of the game's really pleasing," he remarked.

"It's very difficult, even psychologically, when your season's done, and really there's essentially not a lot to play for except pride."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Ben Hobbs and Dyson Heppell of the Bombers look dejected after a loss during the 2022 AFL Round 05 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on April 17, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"(But to) fight in Dyson Heppell's last game... it's probably easier to fight when there's something worth fighting for."

"The last quarter was hopefully a good sign of spring-boarding us into the off-season and preseason."

The former skipper collected a near team-high 34 disposals and five marks in his final game, a farewell which followed some scrutiny over his Round 23 omission.

The Essendon coach shared glowing sentiments for the luckless club champion post-match, finishing off a career marked by team controversy and crisis.

"He's just a heart and soul kind of guy," Scott said.

"I feel like I've talked about him a lot... a lot of people say 'team first, club first'. It's an easy thing to say but it's a difficult thing to follow through with your actions day-in, day-out over a long period of time.

"Our club's been through significant challenges over the last decade in particular, or two. And he's been someone who's really hoisted the club on his shoulders and led from the front.

"If anyone had the right to sit down and say 'poor me, I've been really unlucky. I've arrived a really difficult time', he would have the right to do that. But he's the opposite of that. He's the ultimate example of team-first, the ultimate example of hard work and preparation. And he's unfortunately the ultimate example of there's a lot of luck (involved) in our game.

"He'll leave an indelible legacy on our club."

"There isn't a single person who's had a long career, either as a player or a coach in AFL footy, who has given more to the game than the game's given to them. But if there's anyone I've come across that it's close, Dyson would be the closest."

"I think he's given more to our club and the game, than the club and the game's given him."

The club now prep to take on 2025 without their heart and soul veteran, with hopes of reversing their finals fortunes in another high-pressure season for Brad Scott and his troops.