Essendon star forward Scott Lucas started his AFL pre-season in style but it was the dash and excitement provided by a brigade of young players that would have left coach Matthew Knights smiling at Telstra Dome.

The Bombers thrashed the Western Bulldogs 3.12.14 (113) to 0.8.11 (59) in their pre-season quarter-final, on the back of a superior running game, better use of the ball and a far more potent attack.

Lucas, playing his first match of the year, provided the main focal point, with his powerful left foot yielding three "super goals" as well as two regular six-pointers to help bury the disappointing 'Dogs.

There was plenty to like about rookie coach Knights' youth-laden Bombers who mixed pace and flair with fierce tackling.

Essendon controlled the game from the outset, leading by 21 points at the first change, and charged further away in each quarter, Lucas booting a super goal in each of the last three terms to keep stretching the lead.

Among the youngsters to shine, Ricky Dyson and Angus Monfries were both prolific ball-winners in the midfield, with Jobe Watson also doing his share.

Speedsters Alwyn Davey, who missed the last eight games of his debut season last year because of a broken arm, and fellow second-year player Leroy Jetta, both provided plenty of excitement.

Both players gathered numerous useful touches, but more important was their ability to chase down opponents and lay tackles, which contributed to the Bulldogs constantly feeling pressured and often panicking when they had the ball.

New draftee David Myers and Kyle Reimers, who kicked three goals, were others to show promising form.

Adam Ramanauskas, who played five games from the rookie list last season, after recovering from cancer, looked like he was working back towards his best form, showing great composure and class with his delivery from the backlines.

For the Bulldogs, there was not much to like, apart from a classy showing from former Brisbane premiership player Jason Akermanis.

Seasoned senior players Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross, Adam Cooney, Brad Johnson and Scott West provided solid contributions, without being outstanding.

Most disappointing for the 'Dogs would have been their failure to fire up forward.

Will Minson, Cameron Wight, Peter Street and Stephen Tiller were all tried as tall options in attack, but none of them really fired, while fellow tall Andrew McDougall struggled in defence against Lucas.

Ex-Adelaide recruit Scott Welsh only played limited game-time, but failed to have any impact, while half-forward Robert Murphy also struggled, before being moved into defence.

Adding to the Bulldogs' woes, ex-Geelong recruit Tim Callan was helped from the ground injured late in the match.

The Bombers will play either St Kilda or Geelong in a semi-final next weekend.

Knights said he was seeing some results of his attempt to get more run into the side and into increase the tackling pressure on the opposition.

He was also delighted to see young players back up strong from last weekend, when they downed the Brisbane Lions in the opening round.

"From a futuristic point of view there's been concern about maybe younger players at Essendon and whether there is any talent, or there's no talent or there's some talent," Knights said.

"I guess what we're trying to do is develop our young players so that we not only can be really competitive this year, but build for the future, for sustained success.

"It's going to take a lot of hard work and we've just got to keep pushing these young players and give them opportunities to play."

Knights said playing youngsters also produced the bonus of generating a huge amount of enthusiasm, as well as a lack of fear of taking on opposition.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said his side looked flat and overly cautious and while that may have been partly a result of coming off a trip to Darwin, it was also due to the speed and pressure of the opposition.

"Due credit, Essendon were sharp and played extremely well, so there's no excuses there," Eade said.

"But we certainly looked flat and we looked slow, probably Essendon made us look slow, but guys that have generally got a bit of zip in the past were flat."

Meanwhile, Eade said Callan was a bit "groggy" from a collision with teammate Tiller.

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