Ben McNiece knows he can’t afford to rest on his laurels after a win in his AFL debut on ANZAC Day.

The Bombers won their third game of the season, defeating Collingwood by 18 points in front of 87,685 people.

McNiece played in the backline throughout the game and picked up 11 possessions and laid three tackles.

After the VFL side also enjoyed an impressive win against Collingwood, McNiece knows the pressure is on for spot in the side.

“There are plenty of other good players chewing at the bit to get an opportunity so just being able to back up performances and continuing the extra stuff I’ve been doing … it won’t stop here,” he said.

Before the game, Jobe Watson presented McNiece with his match day jumper.

“It’s something you dream of I reckon … every child around Australia dreams of Jobe Watson presenting the jumper to them,” McNiece said.

“Just the way he goes about it – it’s unbelievable to see what an elite operator he is … he does everything right down to a tee, so I was really humbled to get my jumper off him.”

McNiece had to prove himself in the VFL across a number of seasons before he became the Bombers inaugural Next Generation Academy player, when the Dons signed him after the National and Rookie Drafts were held late last year.

Having initially been overlooked for a spot on Essendon’s VFL list a few years ago, McNiece returned to eventually become the side’s Vice-Captain.

Now in the cut and thrust of a full-time AFL program, McNiece said the extra time he can devote to improving his game is having an immediate impact.

“The biggest thing is you’re really able to throw yourself into the program,” he said.

“When you’re working as well, you try to do as much as you can but you’re limited with hours.

“You probably touch the ball 1,000 times a week [now] compared to 300, so your craft gets a lot better and being able to watch vision is just really important to your own progression.”

It took until midway through the final quarter for the Dons to shake the Pies on ANZAC Day.

A goal to Cale Hooker, his third, secured the win.

With a win under his belt in his debut match, McNiece is keen for more.

“It was huge coming out of the race and seeing all of the supporters, the noise was remarkable so it was an awesome day to make my debut and even better to get the win on such a special day,” he said.

“We really wanted to be ruthless in the contest, which I think we were today.

“It’s pretty quick, the rain probably brought it back a little bit with the speed, but the contest was hot early.

“I really enjoyed it, loved the contest, loved the competiveness and now that I’ve had the first win under the belt, I just want more.”