IT MIGHT take a few weeks to get over the 99-point belting the Cats inflicted on Essendon in round two, says Jobe Watson. But when they do, the Dons will be a far better side for it.

Essendon flagged its intention of using the match against the premier as a measure of where it stood. A long way back, would be the quick answer, but while Watson admitted to widespread embarrassment at the result, he said the benefit would come.

"It was a really good reality check," the midfielder said at Windy Hill yesterday. "A lot of us were embarrassed about the way we played.

"I don't know whether subconsciously we got ahead of ourselves, but we came out and played against a side who are clearly better than us, and who showed us how you play to win games of footy."

Although Essendon withstood a nine-goal third quarter from Carlton last Saturday night to go on and win, Watson said the side may not yet have absorbed the lesson handed out by Geelong.

"It may not be that last week we turned it completely around, but in three or four weeks' time, that loss will galvanise the group in showing us the way we have to play … to win games," Watson said.

Despite the Geelong disaster, Essendon has made a bright start to its first season in 28 without Kevin Sheedy around the club. The retirement of James Hird, the trading of Mark Johnson to Fremantle, the first-round injury to Scott Lucas, a new coaching staff led by Matthew Knights — all these add to a feeling of change at the club.

It has been revitalising, Watson says. "A lot of guys needed a fresh start and have really enjoyed hearing a different voice. (They) are just really enthused about games and looking forward to each week.

"It was probably a smart move (by the club) to pick someone (Knights) who already had a relationship with the players.

But with Courtenay Dempsey and Leroy Jetta cut down by hamstring injuries in successive weeks, Essendon's new-found pace will be stretched to its limits against the unbeaten Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome on Friday night.

Watson said the Bulldogs were in good form, worked hard for each other and used the ball well — "We're going to have to combat that". The Dons also had to win more of the contested ball than in their past two games.

That applied whether the game was high-scoring or a close contest. "The team that puts their heads over the ball in those tight situations is probably the team that will win in the end," he said.