A lack of polish and composure late in the final term cost the Western Bulldogs its seventh win for the season, according to coach Brendan McCartney.
The Bulldogs led Essendon by as much as 21 points late in the third term but let the game slip in the final quarter, with the Bombers' more experienced players stepping up to guide them to a seven-point victory.
McCartney denied his side was "stiff" to lose, conceding his players made skill errors and lacked poise at critical moments late in the match.
Bombers fight back to edge Dogs
"They got up off the floor and fought their way back," McCartney said after the match.
"You're not stiff when you look at the stat sheet and they win almost everything in the last 10 minutes so full credit to them.
"They were able to connect up a little bit more with the ball and hang on to the ball and still go forward. We weren't able to do that and we lost possession a couple of times.
"They probably handled the last 10 minutes a bit better than us."
Talking points: Western Bulldogs v Essendon
Jake Carlisle caused headaches for the Bulldogs defenders all day with a stunning eight-goal performance.
He took 10 marks inside the Bombers' attacking 50, the most Champion Data has ever recorded, with key defenders Jordan Roughead and Dale Morris struggling to contain the big Bomber.
"We could have helped each other better on him. We probably left his opponent one out with him too much," McCartney said.
Down the other end, young Bulldog Jake Stringer had a breakout game kicking a career-best five goals.
Stringer is one of several young pups to showcase their talent in the past few weeks with first round draftee Marcus Bontempelli and Nathan Hrovat earning NAB AFL Rising star nominations.
"[Stringer] has got a ability," he said.
"Provided he keeps his head down and works, eats the right foods and trains well he'll be alright."
"One by one [young players] have games when you go 'wow' there's really something there. Then as your team evolves and they play more footy together and get to know each other better and feel more comfortable in that arena, they all start to do it together.
"When they do that's when the fun part starts, it's still tough but you drive to the footy each week really confident that you're going to be right in the game. I feel that now. Nine times out of 10 I feel confident."
Midfielder Mitch Wallis had his foot stomped on twice during the match, and struggled to run out the game.
For two quarters he had been superb in quelling the influence of in-form Bomber Dyson Heppell, limiting him to just one touch in the second term and 14 disposals by three-quarter time.
The Bulldogs now have a week off before facing reigning premier Hawthorn in Launceston.
