Essendon VFL has rounded off its pre-season in emphatic style claiming a 73-point victory in the final practice match against Richmond at Punt Road Oval.

James Stewart and Jackson Merrett were standouts in the forward half with each kicking five goals, while Craig Bird racked up 37 disposals.

“Birdy was super today,” Essendon VFL Coach Paul Corrigan said.

“His contest work was really good, his ability to get to the outside and his pressure on ball was fantastic.”

The Tigers kicked the first goal of the day, but it was the only time the club led, with a slick Bombers outfit jumping to a six-goal lead at the first break.

“The most pleasing thing is we’ve got a real team balance and great team performance, and that’s all I ask of the guys,” Corrigan said.

Richmond responded in the second term, kicking four goals.

Corrigan said small mistakes created turnovers.

“We gave the ball back to them a few times,” he said.

“We rushed with the footy when we could have been a little more controlled.”

After half time, the side made the necessary changes and restricted Richmond to four goals in the second half.

“It’s rewarding going into round one knowing we’re playing a good brand of footy,” Corrigan said.

“It’s pleasing (winning) but the more pleasing aspect is how we played.

“Sometimes the scoreboard can be a bit irrelevant in practice matches.

“It’s more about the processes you put in place, how you want to play, attack and defend.

“I thought today was probably our best game of the practice matches, as far as a four quarter effort.”

But Corrigan said there is still some fine-tuning to do before next week’s season opener.

“It’s all about our ball movement, when is the right time to go really quick and when is the right option to slow it down and take a little bit more control of the game,” he said.

Essendon will face Sandringham on Saturday in the round one clash at Trevor Barker Oval from 2pm.

Goals: Stewart 5, Merrett 5, Peters 3, Boyse, Francis, Mutch, Ferry, Dobson, Morgan, Cornell, McKenna