Essendon Senior Coach Brad Scott couldn't be prouder of his playing group after a scintillating performance against reigning premiers Collingwood. 

After fading late last season to miss out on September in Brad Scott's first season at Essendon, the Bombers had been tracking the same way across the past month, before arresting that slump against Collingwood. 

Scott was thrilled with his side's response after last Saturday night's disappointing 45-point loss to Geelong, especially after the Magpies made a fast start by kicking five of the first six goals. 

"The later in the season, the more important the wins seem," Scott said in his press conference.

"It was a step forward again against really good opposition in circumstances where Collingwood got off to a good start, then we regained our composure. That part was really pleasing.

"I just see the pretty obvious growth. If you use a couple of Anzac Day games and this game tonight, the majority of the teams were pretty similar. Collingwood has been a very good team, so I think that was a good yardstick on the improvement of our team. 

"Have we proven anything? I don’t think so. We've just taken another step forward. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a step forward for us, but unfortunately it doesn't guarantee anything next week or the week after."

Top-10 pick Nate Caddy grasped his third chance at AFL level after being recalled, finishing with 12 disposals, six marks and 1.3 in a performance that showed that the 18-year-old from the Northern Knights belongs at the top level. 

"It is hard not to get excited by him," Scott admitted. 

"We talked pre-game that he is a point of difference. It is very rare that you see a first-year key forward who can have an impact on a game like he can. 

"We saw that through the pre-season. We thought we knew what we were drafting. We saw it in pre-season. He is a very, very exciting player and an important player for what we’re doing."