See the five things we liked the most in Essendon’s tough four-point win over Geelong in the Marsh Community Series on Monday.

1. McGrath maintaining momentum

Emerging midfielder Andrew McGrath was among the Bombers’ best players in Essendon’s encouraging defeat of West Coast in the first round of the pre-season competition and he certainly backed it up in Colac on Monday.

Having largely spent his first three years at the club in defence and on the wing, the former No. 1 draft pick has now locked in more time as an inside midfielder and is absolutely thriving on the increased responsibility.

McGrath was a dominant force against the Cats, leading the side for disposals (32), contested possessions (10), inside 50s (eight), metres gained (449), pressure acts (30) and goal assists (two).

He also racked up 19 handball receives – clearly the most on ground from either side – in a fine example of his exceptional work-rate and ability to provide his teammates with an option under pressure.

If his pre-season form is anything to go off, McGrath will be a force to be reckoned with this year.

2. The sure and dangerous defence

The Bombers conceded 58 inside 50s on Monday but let in just 16 scores with a new-look defensive unit combining well at Central Reserve.

Headed brilliantly by evergreen star Michael Hurley, who dominated the game with 32 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, nine marks and seven rebound 50s, the backline was tough, composed and seemed a step ahead of its opponents throughout the clash.

Young Bomber Brandon Zerk-Thatcher was the perfect sidekick for Hurley, performing extremely well on key forwards Tom Hawkins and Esava Ratugolea with 18 disposals, 12 intercept possessions, nine contested possessions, seven marks and five rebound 50s, while fellow young gun Jordan Ridley was classy with 20 disposals (at 95 per cent efficiency), seven rebound 50s, seven intercept possessions, and six marks.

While the group was staunch in defence, its willingness to take the game on and punish the Cats on the counterattack was also a highlight, with speedster Adam Saad proving damaging again with 27 disposals, four rebound 50s and four inside 50s.

3. The fierce tackling pressure

Essendon had no trouble finding the ball, winning 47 more disposals than Geelong in the victory, and the team was still able to lay nine more tackles than the Cats.

That was off the back of a similar effort against the Eagles, where the Dons led possessions by 15 and tackles by 19, and the early trend has made it clear that applying maximum pressure to the opposition is a key focus this year.

The inclusion of 2018 best and fairest Devon Smith, who was restricted to just seven senior games due to injury last year, has also had an immediate impact on the squad and the energetic midfielder led the way again with 10 tackles on Monday.

Speaking after the victory, Ridley said the Bombers have been encouraged throughout the pre-season to pour on the pressure in 2020.

“That (pressure is) something as a club that we want to make a real trademark of Essendon, so it was really good to see that pressure right up there.”

4. The ability to strangle Geelong’s freedom

That pressure didn’t just have a direct impact on each contest against the Cats, it forced them to be more conservative with their ball movement.

Like pulling back an elastic band, the perceived pressure would gradually build before the Cats couldn’t hold on any longer and the Bombers forced a turnover, shooting back with speed to repeatedly prove damaging on the counterattack.

Geelong found far less of the ball than Essendon, but still claimed one more mark, showing how the Dons slowed their opponents. Meanwhile, the Bombers gathered 53 more handballs, moving the Sherrin with pace and purpose as they drove up the ground in numbers.

Ridley said it was a measured and planned approach from Essendon.

“We knew they were going to try to be quite adventurous with their ball movement, so we tried to slow them down and pin them, make them kick to a contest and then from there we can turn it over and peg it back at them.”

5. An unbeaten pre-season

It’s not all about the scores in the pre-season, but there is no doubt that you can take a lot of confidence out of finishing on top.

The Bombers first claimed a comfortable 74-point defeat of Melbourne in an unofficial practice match on February 21, taking up the opportunity to blow off the cobwebs and blood some new faces.

The subsequent victories over West Coast and Geelong – two teams widely expected to perform well in 2020 – were also important opportunities to trial the side’s tinkered tactics under a new coaching structure against strong opponents.

To emerge from the Marsh Community Series unbeaten and unscathed on the injury front is a terrific result for the red and black and will ensure the side enters the home and away season with confidence in its system and ability.