Watson said while the new coaching panel had been embraced by the players, it was an honest internal review which had helped the club understand where it stood.
"The people that have come into the coaching department from successful programs bring knowledge, and knowledge that the players understand brings success; and a lot of the players have been invigorated by the people who have come in," Watson said in a media conference on Thursday before the NAB Cup Grand Final.
"We've also got a real perspective about how we were seen outside the club last year, and where we're at, and I think it's been a really good dose of reality for the players and we've started afresh," he said.
In looking ahead to the pre-season decider, Watson said it would be an excellent chance for the club to compare itself against last years' premiers, particularly after being beaten by the Magpies by a combined total of 163 points last year (defeats of 65 in round five; 98 in round 20).
"When you play against teams sometimes you know that you're really out of your depth and I remember playing last year against Collingwood late in the year and we just got suffocated every time we had possession of the ball," he said.
"We really felt like we were playing against 25 or 26 guys. That pressure that they were able to generate, and their ability to run and spread from contests is obviously something they've worked hard at, and they're a great contested ball and tackling team.
"You take a lot of things out when you play against teams like that, and in round 20 last year we got a real football lesson, and we know the things we learned."
Watson confirmed forward Scott Gumbleton would again miss through injury but was in line to play in round one against the Western Bulldogs, and also suggested the club would not be getting ahead of itself after its promising NAB Cup form.
"It's hard to get a real sense of reality until you get a real game. Probably in two months time we will have a better understanding," the 26-year-old said.
"It's really naïve to think after three rounds of football.... you know where you're at. It's one of those things that requires some patience, and I think that will come probably middle of the year."
Jobe Watson is a $394,100 midfielder in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.
Callum Twomey is afl.com.au's beat writer for Essendon FC. Follow him on Twitter: @Cal_Twomey.
