Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis says it was a thrill to send off outgoing teammate Brendon Goddard in style during the side’s impressive 22-point victory over Port Adelaide.

The undermanned Bombers were outstanding at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, bursting out of the blocks with a six-goals-to-one opening term and holding the Power at bay to finish the year off with a bang.

But it was the chance to celebrate Goddard’s enormous contribution to the club that Zaharakis enjoyed the most.

“It was awesome, it’s always good to win and especially with BJ’s last game for the footy club,” Zaharakis said post-match.

“He’s been such a role model for a lot of guys here over the last six years and really taught everyone to be a professional footballer and demand high standards.

“So it’s great to send him off with a win and a performance like that tonight.

“(It was) a very hostile crowd and it’s awesome that we get to enjoy the win together.”

Goddard finished his career in the red and black brilliantly, gathering 27 disposals (at an efficiency of 93 per cent), 12 marks, six rebound-50s and five score involvements.

Zaharakis praised Goddard for his constant leadership, looking back on his earliest memories of his teammate with fondness.

“In his first year we used to go to the Young Street Cafe every week when we were down at Windy Hill there,” Zaharakis said.

“He was a terrific mentor to me in that first year he came in. I was still young, about 23 at that stage, and he just taught me how to be a professional footballer and how to go about it.”

Zaharakis admitted it was disappointing not to be able to achieve Goddard’s goal of ultimate success together, but said he will continue to have a lasting effect on the club.

“He leads in a great way a lot of guys can follow. Just the professionalism and the way he drives team standards because he wants success.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to get the ultimate success with him, but he’s leaving this club in a better place than it was when he first got here.”