IN THE end Friday’s NAB Challenge match was a loss, but new Essendon coach Matthew Knights couldn't be happier with his first pre-season in charge of an AFL team.

The Bombers went down by a solitary goal after leading by more than four midway through the third quarter, but Knights said the intensity was terrific and just what his young team needed, along with providing some much needed game time for the not-so-young.

“I thought it was an extremely competitive hit-out, and I thought both sides were pretty willing,” he said. “I thought we got a fantastic hit-out, being our last hit-out. Disposals were pretty even.

“We got (skipper Matthew) Lloyd and (fellow veteran Dustin) Fletcher through half a game, which was the plan coming in, and also David Hille, it was the plan to play him three quarters only.

“I guess in a lot of ways we achieved some things we wanted to achieve tonight.”

Knights said he was encouraged by the condition of his two veterans after their first appearances of the season.

“Matthew Lloyd pulled up very well and he probably did a little bit more than I thought he would, I thought he moved around quite well.

“And Dustin – even though it was good for Dustin to have a game from a touch perspective, I’ve never been concerned that he wouldn’t be fine because his knee has just been more irritation rather than a structural problem.

“Both guys got through fantastically well, and they’ve recovered well, and we’ll get a good 14 or 15 days training into them now before our Monday game, so we’ve got a 16-day break (before round one).”

Knights said the pre-season had been positive.

“It’s been encouraging, and I think what’s been noticeable is we’ve unearthed some young talent that a lot of pundits and supporters and members haven’t seen.

“We’ve unearthed some young players that we believe will come through hard in the future. How consistent they’re going to be this year is another question, but what we’ve done is we’ve unearthed some talent.

“In concluding, I think we’ve had a positive pre-season, and we’re looking forward to the Kangaroos now.”