The names Daniher and Merrett might sound like the cornerstones of a battle-hardened 1980’s Bomber forward line.

But in 2015, they are two of the keys to the Essendon attack.

Joe Daniher along with Merretts, Jackson and Zach, formed one of the most youthful Essendon forward line-ups named in recent years against North Melbourne last Friday.

When Jake Carlisle withdrew before the game, Travis Colyer became the most experienced member of that group despite having played only 53 games.

But there were no signs of that lack of experience as the Bombers booted five opening quarter goals.

“We moved the ball with some good urgency.  We were playing on a lot after taking marks,” Essendon Forwards Coach Nathan Bassett said.

“That’s been the focus coming out of Fremantle, is that we sort of took the game on a little more.

“I thought it worked reasonably well for us, not just in the first quarter but in the second half as well.”

The names Crameri, Ryder, Monfries, Jetta and Davey have been among Essendon’s leading goal scorers in the last five years.

But they have all moved on and the Bombers are moulding a new group to take the club forward.

Jake Carlisle showed on a number of occasions last season that he is a genuine match winner.

He also booted four goals against St Kilda a couple of weeks ago.

The glimpses of Daniher’s talent continue, including that spectacular mark late in the third quarter against the Kangaroos.

But it’s improving the level of understanding in the forward half that remains one of the keys to improving Essendon’s goal scoring ability. 

“The more that the guys play together, the better we’ll go,” Bassett said.

“It does take time just for players to get to know each other and have that feel for when someone’s leading and when someone’s pulling in behind.

“If we can continue to play like we did last week, we’ll give the forwards a better opportunity to show what they can do.

Experienced duo Adam Cooney and Paul Chapman are good chances to come back in to the side this week to bolster the attack.

Captain Jobe Watson could also feature more often in the forward half after his two-goal effort against the Kangaroos. 

“It looked good for us in the last quarter against ‘Freo’ and we need that experience in the forward line,” Bassett said.

“He’s got some natural forward ability. 

“I think he adds a bit of stability and experience to that forward group while giving himself a break from having to do all that work in the midfield.” 

At the other end of the ground, the Essendon defence continues to be one of the competition’s most resolute.

Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker are now 100 game players, while Michael Hibberd and Mark Baguley are heading that way. 

“I think the defence has got some good stability now and there has certainly been some improvement in our defence overall throughout the ground,” Bassett said.

“We’ve got that pretty well organised at the moment, it’s just about adding a couple more goals.”