ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights was pleased to emerge with the win on Friday night but he saw a lot of room for improvement in the performance.

The Bombers prevailed in a hotly-contested clash with the Western Bulldogs, snatching a one-point victory with utility Adam McPhee's behind with 18 seconds to play.

"I don't think there was very much between the sides all night. It was a pretty even contest really," Knights said.

"I thought we were a bit scratchy in the first half with some of the new game styles that we've added [over summer]. I thought we were very rusty in the first half, but in the second half I thought a lot of our executions were a lot better and we were a lot more consistent with each other.

"The first half I wouldn't have given a pass mark, but the second was a lot better."

However, the performance of forward Scott Gumbleton nicely exceeded Knights' expectations.

Gumbleton, drafted by the Bombers with the second pick in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, presented well in attack and kicked a goal from a strong mark inside 50.

"I came here tonight and said to myself that it didn't concern me if he touched the ball four times for the game," Knights said of the exciting but injury-plagued talent.

"I just wanted him to play 70 to 80 minutes of footy and get through for his confidence and his belief in himself. He hasn't had a lot of doubters – he's just probably doubted himself in his own mind that he can get through games.

"I [would have been] happy with 80 minutes of footy and four touches and I think he showed us a little bit more than that."

Former Crow Hayden Skipworth looked comfortable despite spending two years away from the elite level and also drew praise from Knights.

Andrew Lovett was among the best players on the ground after very nearly departing the club in October's trade period, but Knights was cautiously optimistic about the midfielder's efforts.

"Andrew and I had a bit of sit down after [trade week] and put a plan in place," he said.

"We catch up fortnightly and have a discussion about on-field and off-field, but he's getting respect for his peers for the way he's training and his attitude towards the game.

"That's good, but he's still got a long way to go to keep winning that respect."

The evening succeeded in raising substantial funds for bushfire relief and Knights said the match was a special event to be a part of.

"It's been an amazing week," he said.

"I don't think our club, players or staff thought about footy on Monday or Tuesday; I think it was the last thing on the radar. As the week went on we realised we had to focus because we had a game coming up.

"I think the AFL did a wonderful thing tonight putting this game on and the funds that can provide some relief will be good."