Essendon champion Scott Lucas says the Bombers first half performance against Fremantle needs to become the benchmark.

In the opening 20 minutes of the game, the ball spent 73 per cent of the time in the Dons attacking half and by quarter’s end the Bombers had recorded twice as many tackles as the Dockers.

The forwards were capitalising on the pressure further up the field, with Essendon generating six scores from turnovers in the opening term.

The margin was extended to 27 points during the second quarter and Cale Hooker and Joe Daniher had four goals between them.

“That needs to be the benchmark of the quality of football the boys can play,” Lucas said.

“It was really outstanding.

“I thought the midfield was dominant early, the forwards presented well and structurally it was very good with (Michael) Hurley behind the ball as the seventh (defender).

“He was able to control play and really Fremantle’s seventh had no impact on the game because the Bombers were able to get repeat entries and kick goals off the back of that.

“Their skill level was excellent as well – as disappointing as it was last week, we saw what they were capable of and that needs to be the benchmark for them.”

Daniher and Hooker ended the game with five goals, 17 marks (five contested) and 39 possessions between them.

“’Joey’ and ‘Hooksy’ were able to get a lot of one-on-ones and we saw when they get one-on-ones they’re very hard to beat,” Lucas said.

“Their spacing and separation is going to be really critical going forward because that’s what generates more opportunities for them.”

Lucas said the dominance of Aaron Sandilands in the middle of the ground enabled the Dockers to get back into the match.

The 211cm ruckman won 51 of the home side’s 59 hit-outs. The Bombers finished with 18.

“He really dominated the hit-outs which helped the ‘mids’ get on top,” Lucas said. 

“Freo changed their midfield a little bit - Goddard was excellent early on Fyfe … Fyfe went forward, we saw Walters through the midfield more often, Blakely went to Merrett and was able to do a very good job on him.

“That just turned the table a little bit and also they had more ‘mids’ that were able to through that area of the ground.” 

The Bombers next match is against Geelong on Saturday night.