Coming up against an experienced Footscray outfit last Friday, Essendon VFL showed some promising signs in their 34-point loss.

From the 11 AFL-listed players in the Bombers' team, two made successful returns from injury (Dylan Shiel and Tex Wanganeen), while Elijah Tsatas looked in good touch prior to being rested after half-time as an emergency for the proceeding AFL game that night. 

VFL Senior Coach Blake Caracella is confident that his side can continue to improve with the more experience they gather as a collective unit.

"It's a lot easier playing with guys you're more familiar with on the ground and more aware of the decisions they're going to make," Caracella said.

"It's really important for AFL teams with good VFL programs that their group can play over long periods of time together, and that's what we're looking to build given that the majority of this group hadn't played as a collective before this year.

"We're still growing that connection between the VFL list, who've been pretty consistent in terms of how they've lined up, with that AFL group who have floated through depending on senior selection and injuries.

"Although we haven't won yet, we're playing some really exciting footy in bursts and been right in the contest at half-time through all three of our games so far. We're struggling to finish games off at the moment, but we know that improvement will come as this group continues to gel."

Caracella reviewed the performances of the AFL-listed crop from the weekend's game.

Elijah Tsatas

14 disposals, four marks, four tackles, four clearances

Elijah had a really good game, especially given he only played a half of footy.

We rested him after half-time in case the AFL side needed an extra player as an emergency for the game after, but he was really good around the ball and especially in clearances.

He's using the ball better each week and we were really pleased with his output.

Dylan Shiel

18 disposals, six clearances

'Shiely' was on reduced game time, playing about 60 per cent in total and he was impressive for us in the middle.

He's had a long time out of the game with injury, so it's really good to see him make his way back and into some good form.

Sam Weideman

Nine disposals, four marks, one behind

'Weids' didn't quite have the same impact on the game as he had last week against Sandringham, but after half-time he didn't have as many opportunities given the Dogs were on top.

Lewis Hayes

22 disposals, 10 marks

'Hayesy' was presented with a different challenge this week, he's been used to taking on key-position players but Footscray fielded quite a small forward line.

It's a really good experience for him to play against different sizes and he was quite good in that area, he got his hands on the ball quite a lot in the back half and was strong in the air when he needed to be.

Nick Bryan

39 hit-outs, 15 disposals, five tackles, four clearances

'Bristle' was really good for us in the ruck again.

We've really been focusing on building his influence around the ground and we felt like his follow-up work was influential this week.

His play in ruck contests has been consistent to start the year and he'll keep improving his aerial impact as the weeks come.

Nate Caddy

13 disposals, four marks, one goal, two behinds

Nate looked really lively early and had a couple of shots on goal in that first quarter.

The supply forward unfortunately diminished after half-time, but it's exciting to see him back after missing a couple of weeks from that tooth injury and the bye.

He provides a focal point up forward for us and we're keen to see him keep growing throughout the year.

Luamon Lual

14 disposals, four marks

'Luey' had his hands full against quite a pacy group of opposition forwards, and ones with more high-end speed than he's come up against this year.

He embraced the challenge and still looked to take the game on, he'll learn a lot from this one.

Jayden Davey

Five disposals, two tackles, two marks

Jayden was lively and did some really electric things with limited opportunities.

We'd love to see him get into those dangerous positions more often because he can be so dynamic, whether it's using the ball or applying tackling pressure.

He's still adjusting to the pace after such a long time on the sidelines and will keep getting better.

Archie Roberts

14 disposals, two marks

Archie played about 65 per cent of the game and split his time between the wing and as more of an inside midfielder in the second half.

The Dogs had some older, more mature bodies in there which provided a great experience for him as he continues to make his way in the middle.

Vigo Visentini

Five disposals, eight hit-outs

With Nick Bryan rucking most of the game, Vigo's been learning to play forward and is showing some pretty clever signs up there.

He can do special things for a guy of his size in terms of creating shots on goal for his teammates, not so much by taking possession but by blocking in contests and using his body well.

He only had the five possessions but he played a key hand in four or five of our scores and they didn't go unnoticed.

Tex Wanganeen

Four disposals, two tackles

Tex's first game back after a lengthy injury and we played him in the second half.

He also does some exciting things when he's around the ball and that'll come more as he continues to adapt in his return, but we're just happy to see him back out there right now.