While the stakes were far below last year's elimination-final disaster against the Bulldogs, the Bombers gave their fans plenty to like on Wednesday in the 12.9 (81) to 11.9 (75) hitout at their Tullamarine headquarters.
Will Snelling kicked three goals for Essendon while second-year key forward Archie Perkins contributed two, as halfback Jordan Ridley starred.
Ridley took a soaring mark over Aaron Naughton early in the second term.
The hot conditions were far removed from the freezing conditions at Launceston for last year's elimination final, when the Bulldogs extended Essendon's wretched finals drought with a 49-point belting.
The Bombers remain without a finals win since 2004, while the Bulldogs went on to their own grand final drubbing from Melbourne.
New draftees Ben Hobbs and Kaine Baldwin, who kicked a goal in the last quarter, impressed in their first hitouts for Essendon against another club.
Tex Wanganeen, the son of Essendon and Port Adelaide great Gavin, did his chances of being added to the Bombers' list no harm with a great cameo in the last term.
Wanganeen broke a tackle and kicked an excellent goal on the run with his first kick in the game.
The Bulldogs rested players such as captain Marcus Bontempelli and Caleb Daniel for the second half as they also made a solid start to the pre-season.
Jason Johannisen kicked three goals, Aaron Naughton marked strongly and kicked two, while onballer Jack McRae was prolific as always.
6°C