Essendon livewire Jason Winderlich has highlighted the defensive pressure across the field as the catalyst to Sunday night’s 81-point win over Carlton.

Winderlich formed part of a smaller forward line including Paul Chapman and Brendon Goddard in the win over the Blues with Jake Carlisle playing the majority of the game in the ruck.

“I think it is not just being able to hit the scoreboard but the ability to defend the ball once it hits the ground or once they win it,” Winderlich said post match.

“That is what worked best for us, we hit the scoreboard but also we defended really well.”

The 29-year-old booted four goals in his first hit out at AFL level this season, along with star recruit Paul Chapman who has now kicked nine goals in his first three matches for the club.

“I am pretty tired now after the game. I was a bit worried when I started to cramp in my calf during the third quarter and thought I might have to get subbed out here,” he said.

“Bomber just said to me take it easy, don’t sprint too hard in the last quarter and I am feeling really good.”

“All I am really feeling is a bit of general soreness which is great.”

Winderlich said he was looking forward to the challenge of taking on Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Thompson praised the importance of Winderlich following the game.

"All the quick blokes I know - and Chappy's the same - a lot of them, they just like to play fast," he said. 

"Then when they feel good, they just try to go faster and do more.

"It wouldn't matter if it was the 29-minute mark of the last quarter, they'll still try to mark that ball that's out of their reach, by running fast, and then they tear - and 'Licka' has done that.

"We need to manage him [and] he needs to manage himself. If he got smart by the time he's 30 ... it would be nice.

"It's about time he did get smart, because we need him out on the ground."