The Bees' five-game winning run foundered against ladder-leader Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday.

Bees skip Snowy Barker said his side failed to adapt to the slow greens prepared at Napier Street.

"We certainly didn't handle the heavy track," he said.

"They watered it and and slowed it down, knowing it doesn't suit our style of play.

"There's no excuses – you've got to play on all greens and we've been playing away and winning."

The 30-shot defeat reflected where the Bees were at mentally.

Dane McKinnon was the Bees' lone victorious skip in a narrow 20-19 win over Aaron Tompkins.

"He played well and got into a bit of form," Barker said. "It was all to no avail because the other three rinks let him down."

Player-coach Brett Dodd was swamped by Peter Loe in a double-your-score 24-12 loss. Barker, in his first game back from holidays, was beaten 31-18 by Aaron Wilson.

David Zitter could not keep his rink's hot form going as they went down 20-14 to Anthony Flapper.

Barker says his team will need to re-group to

face western suburbs rivals Rosamond on Saturday at Chirnside Park before heading to Moonee Ponds on Sunday for a chance to see where they sit in the pecking order.

Premier division: Essendon 16-94 d Werribee RSL 2-64.

Division 2: Werribee RSL (2) 16-86 d Hoppers 2-62.