ESSENDON'S thrilling start to the season has come at a heavy cost, with coach Matthew Knights last night flagging an investigation into a spate of hamstring injuries.

The Bombers lost by 30 points to the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome in a gripping encounter, but it was the loss of forward Mark McVeigh and youngster Sam Lonergan that prompted Knights to concede the club had an issue with soft-tissue injuries.

Knights' concerns, only four weeks into the season, follows a mystery calf injury to captain Matthew Lloyd during the week, the loss of Leroy Jetta last week with a hamstring tear and hamstring concerns hanging over Courtenay Dempsey, David Myers, Andrew Welsh and former first-round draft pick, Scott Gumbleton.

"As a club, we just have to investigate everything in the program and we'll do that diligently," Knights said. "Certainly those two guys (McVeigh and Lonergan) coming out of the line-up didn't help the scenario, but it's not an excuse for losing the game.

"We've just got to investigate everything in our program … to try and get to the bottom of it, there's no real answer at this stage."

After a flying start to the year with wins over North Melbourne and Carlton, the Bombers' injury woes are a big cause for concern, with spearhead Scott Lucas expected to be sidelined until at least midway through the season with a knee injury. "From a forward-line point of view, we're just going to have to mix and match and try and create some goals from other places," Knights said.

"We manufactured 28 shots on goal, which I thought was terrific … (and) we gave ourselves an opportunity to win the game."

Brent Stanton kicked two goals in the second term and three for the match as the Bombers clawed back a 26-point deficit at quarter-time and threatened to steal victory.

Before he was struck down through injury, McVeigh kicked two goals and had 22 disposals by three-quarter-time.

Ruckman David Hille also kicked two goals and received good support from the fleet of small Bombers charging through the middle of the ground.

Knights praised debutant Tayte Pears, who was a late replacement for Angus Monfries, who pulled out because of food poisoning.

"Tayte Pears played predominantly forward and competed really hard," Knights said. "That experience he's gained is fantastic."

After Essendon hit the front 21 minutes into the third term and led by 10 points late in the quarter, the Bulldogs fought back to register their fourth win in a row.

"Overall, I was very disappointed to lose the game — very — and the players are too," Knights said.

He said Lloyd would have scans on Monday to determine the extent of his injury.

"We hope it's just some calf soreness and he'll be right to play next week. We'll get him scanned … then we'll know exactly what's going on."