Essendon will leave Anzac Day confident in its ability to take it up to the competition's best after falling four points short of Collingwood. 

Coach John Worsfold lamented some early mistakes from the Bombers in their gripping loss to last year's Grand Finalists and said his team had tried to take too many "risky" options at stages. 

However, he was reluctant to use any excuses as the Bombers' comeback failed narrowly after they trailed by 33 points in the third term. 

It leaves the Bombers' season perched at 3-3 after six rounds but the strong month of performances have proven they can match it with the best with their breakneck style.

"I have confidence in this group regardless of today. Park that, we came here to play against a very, very good footy team and we took it right up to them," Worsfold said.

"It was just a good tough game of footy. One team is in front when the siren goes with a kick in it. 

"We can sit here and look at all the reasons and the opportunities we may have missed. But Collingwood can sit there the same and say, 'We'll match you with those and we're still in front'."

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The Bombers gave the Pies too much of a head start, conceding nine scoring shots in the first quarter and trailing by 23 points at the opening change. 

They were able to claw that back to 15 points at the main change and then nine points by the last break, but were unable to run over the top of the Magpies. 

"We came here to try and win the game so disappointment is the main [feeling], but [I'm] also very proud of the way the boys played and the spirit they played it in," he said.

"There's some great lessons in it all. Ultimately the players committed to play the game out until the end and have a crack at it and they did that.

"I think our players tried to go too quick and get the ball in and out of their hands too quick. We were chasing a little bit with some of those mistakes."

Devon Smith missed last week as the Bombers managed his chronic knee issue, and struggled for an influence against the Magpies before ending his day prematurely due to a right knee problem.

Worsfold said Smith was fit for selection and that the club believed he may have suffered a new knee complaint.

"He was absolutely 100 per cent fit and felt the best he had this week more than any other week. If there was any week he shouldn't have played it was maybe the first four rounds if you're talking about how he's feeling," he said. 

"He was ready to go. Something's happened to his knee, we're not sure yet. I'm guessing it's not the same issue because they're saying they don't really know what it is.

"If it was the same issue they'd just say it's his cranky knee."

Essendon now has a 10-day break before it faces Geelong next Sunday at the MCG.