Essendon kicked its second highest score of the season, but it wasn't enough to account for last season’s preliminary finalists, Port Adelaide.

The Power got home by 13 points. 

Michael Hibberd said the message from coaching staff after the game was to not be satisfied with just being competitive. 

“We’re a little disappointed we can’t turn the games that we’ve played reasonable footy in to wins,” he said.

“There is only small amounts of games that are costing us.”

The Bombers fielded a side featuring six players with 16 or less AFL games experience.

The side’s top two picks from last year’s National Draft kicked three goals between them in the third quarter.

Jayden Laverde and Kyle Langford ended the night with two goals each.

“They’re young and raw but there is a lot of potential there,” Hibberd said.

“Both played full games tonight and I thought they were really good.

“There is a bright future for both of them and they’re only going to get better the more games they play.”

Since going down to St Kilda a month ago, the Bombers have beaten Melbourne, matched it with North Melbourne for three quarters and suffered a narrow loss to the Power.

“We’ve got a lot more intensity, we’ve just got to turn it in to wins now,” Hibberd said.