The famous Baby Bombers are all-but gone, but the Essendon nursery is clearly rosier than Fremantle's.

The young Bombers proved themselves far more advanced than a disappointing Fremantle at a similar stage of development at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, winning by 38 points.

The Dons began sharply and were quicker throughout and, aside from a brief Fremantle fightback in the second term, were always headed towards their first win of the season, 16.13 (109) to 10.11 (71).

For two sides rebuilding, this match provided a glimpse ahead, and most encouraging signs were those in red and black.

The Bombers' new-look backline kept Fremantle's forwards in check despite the visitors heading into attack more regularly.

Tayte Pears enjoyed the best of his seven games by keeping Dockers star Matthew Pavlich quiet.

In attack Patrick Ryder showed he could be a forward of polish after starting out as a backman, while two Dons produced excellent debuts.

Second-round draft pick David Zaharakis was one of the best afield with 21 clean disposals, while Irishman Michael Quinn also did some nice things in a 20-touch game in defence.

"Those two players did us proud today," said Essendon coach Matthew Knights, whose club is amid a generational change from the famed young group that won the 1993 premiership.

Dustin Fletcher, 33, must feel old compared to the new Baby Bombers, but Knights was firmly committed to blooding as many youngsters as he could.

"It was mentioned during the week that age and experience and games is important, so we've just got to keep getting games into these young men," Knights said.

That said, Essendon are still a way off sending Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas out to pasture despite the veteran forwards again being kept quiet.

Lucas booted a goal but was quiet, although Lloyd at least got some decent touches around the ground and set up a goal for Ryder with a big tackle on Paul Duffield in the first term which set the tone.

Knights was unfazed at the little impact from Lucas, Lloyd and ruckman David Hille - well beaten by Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands - as they deserved his patience.

"They've been absolute stars for the Essendon Football Club for such a long period and they're fine young men and they continue to do themselves proud on and off the field," he said.

"I'll have as much patience as I've possibly got because they deserve the patience, but they will come good, I know that."

Fremantle can only hope their key players improve, as - aside from Sandilands - Pavlich, 200-gamer Chris Tarrant, Luke McPharlin and ex-Bomber Dean Solomon all had poor games.

Dockers coach Mark Harvey said too many of his youngsters were not clean enough handling the ball under the roof and didn't capitalise on chances in front of goal.

Perhaps more worrying, Fremantle could not match Essendon's enthusiasm when the game was alive.

"The younger players played on a bit of adrenalin for Essendon and we weren't able to create that adrenalin," he said.

"We haven't got into the situation where we've got it over the opposition on the scoreboard."

Fremantle's task won't get easier either, as Harvey was frustrated his side has two less days to prepare for the round three clash against Adelaide, who played on Friday night.

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