Essendon veteran Brendon Goddard says his side's remarkable comeback win over Hawthorn proves his teammates are putting their year from hell behind them.
Bolstered by the return of six players from doping bans, the Bombers trailed at halftime but surged home with five straight goals in a dominant third quarter on their way to a 25-point upset.
It was a victory for the ages in front of more than 78,000 fans at the MCG and one that shows the Bombers will be a force to be reckoned with this year after claiming the wooden spoon in 2016..
For Goddard, who served as captain last season in the absence of Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell, it was also a sign the club is capable of moving on from the past.
"We've talked about it before as a group and individuals, we've talked about it in the media ... to be able to play footy for what it is, rather than carrying excess baggage or a black cloud hanging over our heads," Goddard said after the game.
"For us, from where this group's been and individuals have been in this group, that's really healthy.
"It's stressful at the best of times but now, they're able to enjoy that: the pressure of just playing football.
"It's round one so it's a great win but enjoy it over the weekend and we'll come back Monday and try and reset again."
Goddard was influential in the season-opener, starting on a wing and spending extended minutes in the backline.
The two-time All-Australian expects to continue rotating through the midfield alongside the likes of reigning best-and-fairest Zach Merrett, who was outstanding against the Hawks.
The 21-year-old gathered 37 disposals, including 26 in the first half, earning high praise from Bombers coach John Worsfold.
"I thought he was massively influential," Worsfold said.
"Every time he got the ball in his hands it looked like a scoring opportunity was going to come from it."
Worsfold said he had encouraged his players to embrace the victory with an eye towards backing it up next week against Brisbane.
"You're allowed to celebrate wins and you're allowed to feel good about it," he said.
"We're not trying to keep a lid on anything other than the way we want to play.
"We've done it pretty well tonight, and we're accountable to try and match that week-in, week-out and get better."
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