Carlton coach Denis Pagan senses that the Blues are finally starting to climb out of the darkest period in their history after their opening-round NAB Cup win over Essendon on Saturday night.

The Blues held on against the fast-finishing Bombers to win 1.10.14 (83) to 1.9.16 (79), with reigning Coleman Medallist Brendan Fevola starring with five goals.

The victory came 15 days after Australia's third-richest man Richard Pratt took over the presidency of the embattled club.

After claiming three wooden spoons in the past five years and sinking into a huge debt, Pagan said there was finally a positive vibe emerging.

"Since Dick Pratt came to the club it's like someone turned the light on, it's been dark and gloomy at Carlton for a lot of years now and (tonight's win is) just a fitting end to two weeks of positive good news for Carlton people and supporters," Pagan said.

"We know we've got a lot of work to do, we know we've got a lot of obstacles and hurdles in front of us, but it's a start."

Along with Fevola's strong performance up forward, there was plenty to like.

New No.1 draft pick Bryce Gibbs showed glimpses of class, while the 2005 No.1 pick Marc Murphy slotted in beautifully after missing the second half of his debut season with a shoulder injury.

Emerging midfielders Kade Simpson and Andrew Carrazzo impressed, as did more experienced players Nick Stevens and Ryan Houlihan, with Stevens particularly good with the game in the balance in the last term.

Jarrad Waite handled his switch from attack to defence well, providing plenty of rebound from centre half-back, while Irishman Setanta O'hAilpin kept Essendon's comeback skipper Matthew Lloyd to two goals.

Fevola benefited from the AFL's new push-in-the-back interpretation, kicking two goals from free kicks which would not have been paid in previous years, with experienced defenders Dustin Fletcher and Mal Michael the respective offenders.

"I reckon if you play in front it doesn't matter if your name's Brendan Fevola or Snowy off the tram, if they put their hands in your back you're going to get a free kick," Pagan said of the rule change.

Despite losing, Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy found plenty of positives, including the character the Bombers showed to come back, after trailing by as much as 34 points during the second term.

Young midfielder Angus Monfries was a standout, kicking three top-class goals, including a brilliant late snap to cut the margin to four points in what was the final score of the game.

Fellow youngsters Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton were also instrumental in the comeback, along with speedster Andy Lovett, who showed good signs after a poor second half of last season.

Sheedy was also delighted with recruits Alwyn Davey, the lighting-fast younger brother of Melbourne star Aaron, and 18-year-old Bachar Houli.

"Alwyn Davey played quite well, he had eight tackles and should have kicked four goals, it's not a bad effort in a first game against AFL-style pressure," he said.

"Bachar knows how to get the ball, he's just got to make sure his decision's right when he gets it and not overcomplicate it.

"But the one good thing he does do is he's very much a team man, there's a little bit of (former Richmond star) Dale Weightman there with his hands and that ... he plays with vision, which is what I like."

Sheedy said several players would benefit from playing, particularly Lloyd, who missed most of last year with a hamstring injury, Michael, after reversing his retirement decision, and young ruckman Jason Laycock, who battled several injuries last year.

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