Brendon Goddard says Essendon's investment in youth this season paid off against Carlton in the final match of the year.

The Bombers skipper picked up 24 possessions in the Bombers 24 point win over the Blues.

His 18 first half possessions forced the Blues to send tagger Sam Kerridge to the Bombers best and fairest winner.

“Besides the setback with the groin I’ve been feeling really good and the body has been pulling up well,” Goddard said.

“I started the game well today and then Kerridge came to me and it was just a matter of playing my role.

“But then Zach Merrett got off the chain and a few others started to come into the game so it worked out well.”

Essendon led by 48 points at three quarter time but the Blues mounted a challenge in the last term to draw within striking distance before Shaun McKernan kicked a steadier to secure victory for the Bombers.

“They were coming hard and we talked at three quarter time that they were obviously going to start taking risks and roll the dice to try and get back in the game,” Goddard said.

“We were hanging in there for a bit and they came pretty hard.

“We still needed to kick a couple but deep down the boys knew we had it at three quarter time.”

Goddard has led Essendon through a season where the Club has invested heavily in youth.

Darcy Parish, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Michael Hartley, Jake Long, Jayden Laverde, Conor McKenna and Kyle Langford had little or no games under their belt when the season began.

But against the Blues they looked like seasoned professionals.

“Today is a really important step,” Goddard said.

“They’ve obviously got the eight to ten weeks now to think about what they’ve learnt.

“What they’ve been able to experience this year is really valuable for them in their development.

“Without that situation happening – that’s really one of the positives to come out of it.

“That a credit to them and their perserverance to just keep getting better every week.”