Mark Thompson has been through enough in the AFL to know Friday night’s win was one to savour.
The interim Essendon coach was in a buoyant mood after the 39-point win over North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, cracking jokes in his post-game media conference as he relished a stirring performance.
His team had honoured Dustin Fletcher’s club-record 379th game and overcome the potential distraction of Tania Hird’s controversial TV interview the previous night.
And as Thompson pointed out, no-one really knows how they will perform in round one.
“We couldn’t be more pleased,” he said.
“The whole club is pleased that we’ve had a good, strong victory against who we rate as a good team.”
When it was pointed out to Thompson how upbeat he appeared, he retorted: “I’m going to crack jokes all year”.
One of the highlights of the win was veteran Paul Chapman, who developed into a star under Thompson at Geelong and kicked four goals in his first game for Essendon.
Chapman hobbled off in the last term, but Thompson said he was one of several Essendon players who suffered cramp.
“Little Chappy – he’s pretty well-liked by the playing group,” Thompson said.
“The coach obviously likes him, the other staff do.
“Four goals, first game, he’s got the ball, used the ball well – yes, it’s pretty good to have around the club.”
Thompson added Chapman’s leadership is also proving important to the Bombers.
“I like his leadership here and I think he’s liking it too,” he said.
“The players are trying to get some of his experience and knowledge out of him.
“He didn’t really offer that much at the Cats and he didn’t have to – he was playing with guys who knew what they were doing.”
But Thompson admitted he was worried when North briefly hit the front in the second term, following Essendon’s strong start.
It followed a winless pre-season where the Essendon players had been pushed hard in training.
“I thought oh no, we might have cooked them a bit long,” he said.
“But we snapped out of it – we probably timed it perfectly.
“We didn’t get it right by much.”
Another pleasing aspect was the encouraging performances of their three first-gamers – Patrick Ambrose, Martin Gleeson and Zach Merrett.
Thompson said Ambrose, who has only been at Essendon for four months, would become the coach’s pet because he does everything asked of him.
Thompson said he became angry at times, but overall relished his return to senior coaching.
With Essendon still under ASADA investigation, anything could happen – but Thompson is determined to have fun whenever possible.
“I probably just have to settle down and mature,” he said of his angry moments during Friday’s game.
“I should have a bit more fun, trying to win as many games as we can and enjoy the year.”