The Bombers had been ambushed by West Coast's tackling pressure in their opening match, and they confronted an equally brutal Fremantle.

Ross Lyon's team was wasteful early, however, failing to capitalise on a 15-5 inside 50 advantage and taking a 13-point lead into half-time.

Draftee Lachie Neale, who has been one of Fremantle's standout performers on the track this summer, was effective in the midfield, suggesting he will have an impact in his first season.

The South Australian teenager was involved in the opening minute setting up a goal for teammate Paul Duffield and kicked two himself.

Essendon was already without key players Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Dyson Heppell and Michael Hurley, and coach James Hird chose to rest Mark McVeigh, Stewart Crameri and Tayte Pears from the Bombers' second match.

The visitors have won just one game at Patersons Stadium since beating Fremantle in an elimination final in 2003 and struggled in both of their shortened matches on Sunday, having lost to West Coast by 21 points earlier.