Bendigo Bombers coach Shannon Grant is confident his side is progressing well on the eve of the VFL season.

Despite losing to Collingwood in the final practice match of the year last Friday, Grant said a number of players will benefit from the solid hit-out.

“Overall, I was pretty happy with the game and got what we needed to get out of it,” Grant said.

“We will go into next week relatively happy that we’ve been able to get some game time in the blokes who needed it.”

Essendon listed players Scott Gumbleton, Kyle Reimers, Travis Colyer, Darcy Daniher, Jake Carlisle, Mark Williams and Ricky Dyson all gained some much needed match fitness and came away from the game injury free.

“It was really good to see and we had a number of players who haven’t played a lot of games over the last month so in the long run they will be better off with a game under their belt,” Grant said.

Ruckman Tom Bellchambers continued his impressive pre-season form, dominating for most of the game in a best on ground performance.

“I thought Tommy Bellchambers was outstanding at different times across ground, through the middle of the ground and in the ruck contests,” Grant said.

Kyle Reimers was another who impressed the coach in his first game back from a thigh injury.

“Kyle was great, not only the way he played but his leadership and direction was a big bonus for us.”

A number of VFL listed players also played well ahead of the first game of the season this week. 

“Ben Duscher was pretty good all day, Jacob Thompson did some good things, Tommy Campbell will be pretty handy playing in the ruck and going forward while Pierce Liddle was really good before he went off the ground with concussion,” Grant said.

The Bendigo Bombers season opener is against the Northern Bullants at 2pm on Saturday at Visy Park.