A number of senior Essendon players have impressed during the VFL team’s first practice match of the season, as they went down to Geelong by one point at Simmonds Stadium on Saturday.

Senior Bombers Tayte Pears and Nathan Lovett-Murray showed strong form after being left out of the club’s round two NAB Cup clash against Richmond.

Coach Hayden Skipworth said he was impressed with the performance of the entire team.

“For a first up hit out I was quiet pleased with the effort of our players in particular during the first quarter of the game,” Skipworth said.

“A really pleasing thing is we came out of the game with no major injuries to our AFL listed players.”

Also impressive was new recruit Martin Gleeson who continued on his strong form across half forward from the club’s recent intra club match.

Gleeson moved onto a wing during the third quarter and displayed the class and poise of a player beyond his years.

Ariel Steinberg and Travis Colyer were impressive throughout the hit out as was first round draft selection Joe Daniher.

Daniher only took part in the first half of the game as his workload is built up in the lead up to the home and away season, he managed to boot three goals.

The teams next practice match will be next Saturday at midday against Collingwood at Victoria Park.