Despite losing by six points or less for the second week in a row, Matthew Knights said there were plenty of positives to come out of tonight's clash with West Coast at Subiaco.

Essendon lost 15.10 (100) to 14.10 (94) in front of crowd of 9,312 but Matthew Lloyd played his first pre-season game and Dustin Fletcher his second following injury.

""We got Lloyd and Fletcher through half a game which was always the goal. We achieved things we wanted to achieve,"" Knights said.

""Lloyd pulled up very well, he did more than I expected. He moved around well and did a lot of running and got some good touches.

""We won't be playing any more practice matches before our Round 1 clash but I am sure Lloyd will be right to go for the start of the season.

""He is a very experienced player and I feel comfortable with his preparation. 

""It was good for Lloyd and Fletcher to get some game time and both got through very well and have recovered well and will now get 14-15 days training into them before the (Easter) Monday game against North Melbourne.""

Lloyd started the first quarter well taking a strong mark before kicking a behind. Davey, who was left unmarked, ran into 50m to kick the team's first goal before Lovett-Murray used his body well in the goal square to bring up Essendon's second. A 50m penalty award in favour of Stanton saw the Bombers kick their third and they were off to a flyer.

West Coast were shocked into gear and goals to Hansen then Hunter - with team-mates swarming for their opportunity - saw them pull back the difference.

In second quarter Essendon's early stars in Houli, Watson and Stanton continue to gather touches at will.

Watson and Davey both found Stanton with clever kicks to set him up for two more goals also bobbed up for one goal each in a busy quarter for the pair.

Lynch showed his power booting a long goal from 50m, Hunter kicked his second in the quarter and Peverill put his head over the ball and won a free kick to keep the Bombers the lead going into the half.

The third quarter brought the rain and saw the Bombers bolt out of the gates with goals to Monfries and a monster major to Hille from outside 50m as Essendon brought up a 24-point lead.

Lynch burst through a pack for a goal and McVeigh kicked a blinder from a flank as scores see-sawed.

Then Hansen took over, kicking three goals for the quarter and proving impossible to stop which set-up a thrilling final quarter. Embley also asserted his influence all over the field.

An obvious free-kick to Wirrpanda in the dying minutes resulted in the final major of the game and the Eagles were home by six points.

Knights said he was particularly impressed with the games of Paddy Ryder, Adam Ramanauskas, David Hille and Brent Stanton.  

""Brent has had a very specific program and hasn't played much until the last few weeks when we have stepped up his game time. He is a quality player and wearing the great James Hird's number is something he has taken in his stride and we are lucky to have a player of his ability in the side,"" he said.

""Paddy was very good one-on-one and gave us really good rebound. Rama was very consistent and reliable tonight and Hille also very good, especially in the third quarter. 

""It was an extremely competitive hit-out. Both sides were willing and we got a fantastic game for our last practice match

""We are making ground from a learning perspective especially defensively but we have a long way to go. At times we are up and down - as young teams can be - but we are playing exciting football and it has been encouraging.

""We have unearthed some talent that a lot of people didn't know about and they will come through in the future. How consistent they will be this year is something we don't know but guys like Myers and Reimers, who didn’t play tonight, and others will be quality players.""

The young guns aren't the only ones learning on the job. Knights said he is learning to stay calm in the coach’s box.

""When players like Davey and Dempsey are flicking those handballs around I want to look away until we are down the field,"" he said laughing.

""But they are taking teams on and that is exciting. The main thing for me is that I know we have a young group and have to keep learning.""