PRE-game nerves should not be a problem for a hardened veteran of 279 AFL matches. But ex-Richmond skipper Matthew Knights reckoned he was as nervous as his young charges before his debut as Essendon coach against Brisbane Lions in their NAB Cup opener at the Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

"I was nervous before the game for the young players like Sam Lonergan, Danny Chartres and Courtenay Dempsey who train for months and months and sometimes don't get a shot at the big stage, to play in front of a crowd and on TV," he said. "I was more nervous for them."

He needn't have stressed. The baby Bombers, missing 11 first-choice players, sunk the Lions by 27 points, 2.11.16 (100) to 2.8.7 (73), in greasy conditions in front of more than 10,000 fans, mostly pro-Essendon.

"Coming to the game tonight we wanted to walk away and be convinced we had another six or eight players that could really vie for selection so when we sit down to pick our team for round one against the Kangaroos we have 30 to 35 players to pick from," Knights said.

"We have a achieved that to a degree — there were a number of young players that played quite well and they will need to keep working over the next month to prove their worth.

"The starting midfield was very young and it was good to see Angus Monfries play against Luke Power and Heath Hocking. Sam Lonergan and Ricky Dyson all showed bits and pieces of good play.

"I wouldn't say all of them were the complete package (last night), but there were some good signs."

One blow for the Bombers was centre half-forward Scott Gumbleton straining a hamstring in the first quarter, an injury that is still being assessed.

AAP