ESSENDON had just knocked off Geelong in a thriller at the MCG on Saturday night, but Bomber goalsneak Orazio Fantasia was already relishing the prospect of next week's clash with West Coast.

The brilliant Fantasia, a three-goal hero against the Cats, believes the Eagles could be susceptible to Essendon's pacy posse of small men at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.

"It's interesting. I watched the Eagles against the Bulldogs and they tried to play really quick and were handballing a lot, and it was the first time I'd seen them do it," Fantasia told AFL.com.au in the winners' rooms post-match.

"They'll definitely give you a chance to win the ball back, so if we can keep our pressure and intensity up, we'll be a red-hot chance."

Against Geelong, the 21-year-old enhanced his growing standing as the Bombers' best finisher and one of the most exciting small forwards in the game.

In a frantic final term, with the Cats clawing back into the contest, Fantasia showed nerves of steel to slot two critical goals – the first a clinical set shot from 40m at the 13-minute mark that put the Bombers 22 points up, and a running goal from 40m that iced the game at the 29-minute mark.

The "Razzle Dazzle" merchant has now tallied 19.7 in eight games this season (behind only Joe Daniher's 21.18 at Bomberland), with four hauls of at least three goals.

Fantasia was one of just six goalkickers for Essendon, all of them forwards, with Daniher adjudged best-afield after a five-goal return and other multiple-major contributions coming from fellow three-goal men Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and James Stewart, and Josh Green (two).

"It was panic stations at the end, but we held on and played some good footy," Fantasia said.

"Everything stems from pressure. That's our key indicator. (Last week) against Freo our first half was great and our pressure was through the roof, and it was the same again tonight.

"If we're up and about in that aspect of the game, the rest will flow naturally because guys like 'Walla' (McDonald-Tipungwuti) just make things happen.

"And that's where we get a few teams because we've got Walla, myself, 'Greeny', Trav (Colyer) comes through there. So we've got some quick guys up there.

"And we've got 'Hooksy' and Joey, who are mobile and if they don't mark it, they bring it to ground, which brings us into it."

Daniher's performance had made his teammates walk taller.

"When Joey is playing like that, he's on fire, he's got the dukes out, he's kicking goals, you just want the ball in his hands and you just know he's the target to go to," Fantasia said.

"And he doesn't shy away from that either. He embraces it.

"He's working really hard on his defensive game too and he's becoming the all-round player."

Bombers coach John Worsfold also heaped praise on Daniher.

"He showed great leadership throughout the whole game, not only in those critical moments but in other parts of the game, helping us set up the victory early in the game (when) he was outstanding," Worsfold said.

"He did some wonderful individual acts today, but it wasn't about that; it was about adding to what we're trying to achieve as a team.

"It's a wonderful sign for any player to be able to contribute to the game at those critical times, but for our group at critical times we're not looking for one person to stand up; we're looking for everyone to continue to play the way we want to play."

Fantasia and McDonald-Tipungwuti were also given the odd burst in the midfield – an element Worsfold hopes to explore further to increase flexibility and unpredictability.

Fantasia was excited by the change up.

"It helps keep our mids fresh and we can add a bit of zip and speed through there for four or five minutes and then go forward again. It helps keep us involved too, so hopefully we can build on that," Fantasia said.