Essendon's Anzac weekend is away to the best possible start with the VFL side registering an 85-point win over Collingwood at Victoria Park on Sunday.

In front of a big crowd and telecast on channel seven, the Bombers dominated after quarter time to run out victors - 20.13 (133) to the Magpies 7.6 (48).

The crowd looked set for a tight game if the first quarter was anything to go by, with the Pies matching the Bombers efforts all over the ground.

Dons skipper Daniel Coghlan registered the afternoon’s first major with a set shot but that was quickly responded to by Travis Cloke at the other end.

Mason Redman then got his first of the afternoon, but yet again it was Cloke who answered for the Pies who then took the lead with a goal from Rupert Wills. A late goal from Will Hams, who battled with a sore shoulder after a first quarter hit, gave the Bombers a three point advantage at the first change.

It was a lead that continued was never threatened from then on.

The Bombers, led by Ryan Crowley, Jason Ashby, James Polkinghorne and Jonathon Simpkin kicked away with five unanswered goals in the second quarter. 

Cloke looked ominous in the first term, but was then shut out of the game by Dons defender Nathan Grima who had plenty of assistance from James Ferry.

Grima and Cloke’s battle was drawing plenty of attention from both sides of the crowd.

The Magpies were starved of opportunities in their forward 50 as the Bombers slotted another five goals to one in the third quarter to have the game all but won by the three quarter time break with a 57-point lead.

Essendon’s ability to control the ball and work their way slowly through the Collingwood press would have impressed the coaching staff as much as their capability to move the ball at speed from one end to the other.

Jack Langford, Gach Nyuon, Shaun McKernan and Jackson Merrett were all among the goal kickers in the final term with the Bombers fans relishing the many highlights.

Crowley finished the game with four goals and 30 touches, Simpkin had the ball 32 times and kicked two majors, Jake Long had 25, Merrett 24 with Ashby and Ben McNiece each having 22 possessions.

Nick Kommer was among the best players with 17 possessions in his return to the side while debutant Bruno Laguda looked as though he belonged at the state level with 14 disposals. 

Essendon Assistant Coach Paul Corrigan said the Bombers stuck to their plans following a tense opening quarter.

“We didn’t do anything different after quarter time, we were focusing on our areas making sure our contested work was really strong and we tried to control the ball as much as possible,” he said. 

“I think the game just opened up and we started to control the inside better and got on top that way.

“We lifted our pressure on the ball in the second quarter and that allowed us to set up behind the ball and force some high balls which make it easy for our defenders to read or intercept.”

Sunday’s win was the Bombers second consecutive 85-point victory but it wasn’t the margin, but the style of play and the team care that is pleasing the coaches most.

“We aren’t seeing them play their own way, we are seeing them come together really well as a team,” Corrigan said.

“It’s great to see players finding some form, but they are finding the form playing the right way. When you are so far ahead on the scoreboard it’s easy to go away from that but the boys stuck true to it, their work rate was fantastic.”

Click back to essendonfc.com.au on Tuesday for more analysis with coaches of the VFL Bombers.

Essendon 20.13 (133) defeated Collingwood 7.6 (48)

Goal Kickers; Ryan Crowley 4, Jack Langford 3, Mason Redman 3, Shaun McKernan 2, Jonathon Simpkin 2, Yestin Eades 2, Will Hams 1, Jackson Merrett 1, Daniel Coghlan 1 and Gach Nyuon 1.

Best; James Polkinghorne, Ryan Crowley, Ben McNiece, Jason Ashby, Jonathon Simpkin and Nick Kommer.