ESSENDON forward Angus Monfries says the Bombers will be more competitive in 2011 and will ride into round one on a wave of confidence after their much-improved pre-season.

The 24-year-old said the players had been motivated since they returned to face their new coaching structure in November last year, and were determined to put their uncompetitive moments from last season well and truly in the past.

"It's just been fantastic with the whole coaching group right from when we first got back," he told afl.com.au after the Bombers' 22-point loss to Collingwood in the NAB Cup Grand Final on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

"We've had a pre-season structure and it's been really fantastic with our fitness and everyone has improved in that area as well.

"Everyone can see we're a lot more competitive and it's only NAB Cup, we didn't play for four points, but it's going to give us a lot of confidence going into round one.

"Every week, your aim is to go out and compete and at some stages last year, we didn't do that.

"That will be the difference this year; we're really going to compete hard and try to fight as much as we can."

Monfries said there was a good feeling around the club that had been generated by the return of James Hird and Mark Thompson, as well as the changes made to the training regime.

"It's an exciting time. The only way we can go is up so everyone is working towards that and it's been a really enjoyable pre-season," he said.

The Bombers fell at the last hurdle of the NAB Cup but not before giving the reigning premiers a major scare when they cut a 34-point margin to just three in the third quarter, and again in the final stanza after the Pies pushed away.

Monfries said the experience of beating last year's Grand Finalists St Kilda in the semi final and coming close to dislodging the Magpies gave the players confidence heading into round one.

"It's a good feeling because to come up against good sides like that can only improve ourselves as a footy club," he said.

"It's our first time in a grand final since 2001 so it's a great experience for everyone to play in a game like this as well.

"It was a good test for us coming up against the reigning premiers and they were fantastic tonight.

"To get so close was a great effort. We're not too worried about the loss; it give us some things to work on."