ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights has described his side's 48-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday as one of the best he has tasted since being appointed to the position.

Knights branded the victory "very satisfying" and added his team entered the clash with a more aggressive mindset, much different to its Anzac Day clash which saw the Pies thrash the Bombers.

"I thought it was a significant result today and full credit to the 22 players that represented us today and also to the rest of the playing list," Knights said.

"We were really disappointed [after the Richmond loss] and we could have got deflated, but they trained really professionally this week – not only the 22 that played, but the whole list, so it was a great win for the club today."

Knights said Carlton's two wins against Collingwood this year gave the Dons an insight how to clip the Pies' wings.

"They've done pretty well this year against Collingwood, so we just felt we had to keep the speed on the game," Knights said.

"We executed well; we planned to come here today and play it on our terms and beat Collingwood and it was a good result."

Knights praised the selfless performance of Angus Monfries on Heath Shaw, praising the Essendon forward's ability to quell the Collingwood defender while backing up from an ankle injury.

He also singled out Andrew Welsh's ability to play after being concussed against the Tigers.

"Angus and the boys were saying it was as good a comeback since Lazarus and Jobe Watson actually chipped in during the week and asked whether he should give his match payment from last week back, because he only played a little bit and came up this week," Knights smiled.

"So there was a bit of frivolity with it all and credit to Angus, he worked hard, and Andrew Welsh, he was knocked senseless last week and he was in ga-ga land on the bench, but he's a tough hombre and once the doctor cleared him medically – I was never going to stop him playing and he was right to go.

"If we had have had Angus and Andrew miss, on top of Jay Neagle, it certainly would've made it difficult today."

Kyle Reimers' ability to "live for the moment"; David Hille's ruck-work and Jobe Watson's "outstanding" form after being criticised from the outside were other pleasing aspects for Knights.

He also singled out champion skipper Matthew Lloyd's game.

"He played high up the ground, he gave us a good target and he kicked four goals and I'm thankful as a coach he's really embraced that," Knights said.

"Because when you've got a guy who has been a legend of the game and to change his role – I think we've forgotten about that a little bit that he continues to embrace that role for our club."