Orazio Fantasia was one of the bright spots on an otherwise disappointing day for the Bombers against Collingwood on Anzac day.

The 20 year old picked up 25 possessions and kicked two goals.

After missing the first game of the season, Fantasia has provided run from defence and was a threat in the forward line, when he played further up the field against the Magpies.

“I’ve sort of just come in and wanted to play my role,” Fantasia said.

“I’m not really trying to do anything special – know my role and play my role and it’s working out.”

In front of more than 85,000 fans Essendon conceded eight goals in the first quarter.

It was the side’s third slow start to a match this season, after the Dons were sluggish out of the blocks against Gold Coast and Port Adelaide.

“We’ve been jumped a few times over the course of the first five games,” Fantasia said.

“We need to start games a little bit better.”

The Bombers second half was much improved with the Dons outscoring the Pies nine goals to eight. 

“Our first half with the contested footy was pretty poor and our method around the ball was also poor,” Fantasia said.

“We lifted that in the second half and I think we beat them in those areas, which was our main focus and we can take that into next week.”

The Bombers have a six-day break before they meet another archrival Carlton on Sunday.