ESSENDON half-back Courtenay Dempsey says the Dreamtime at the 'G match had provided the best experience of his career even before the ball was bounced.

Every player walked on to the ground hand in hand with an indigenous child.

Dempsey, 24, walked on to the ground with his four-year-old daughter Chenae.

Running through the banner together is a moment he'll treasure.

"It was a beautiful experience — one not to forget," Dempsey said.

"That was the best experience of my career to date.

"I think she was a bit frightened because of the noise, but it was a good feeling for me."

Dempsey has played 59 games since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2006.

His one finals match was the loss to Adelaide in 2009.

Dempsey tried to play down the motivation of playing in such an important match for indigenous footballers, saying he prepared as he would have prepared for any game, but he did admit that the occasion provided "a good feeling". 

In the 19-point victory over Richmond he had 15 disposals and took seven marks while providing an avenue of attack through the middle of the ground.

His performance was another positive step in his comeback from the reconstruction on his left knee that kept him out for most of last season.

"I'm very happy," he said.

"You hear a lot of stories about a lot of players struggling for the first two years after coming back after a knee reco.

"But I try to block all that out and worry about my game and it's working really well for me.

"It feels fine, no worries, no trouble."
 
He said he was proud of his indigenous teammates Paddy Ryder, Alwyn Davey, Leroy Jetta and Nathan Lovett-Murray, who all made contributions towards the victory.