ONE OF the most satisfying aspects of Essendon's upset win over Carlton on Saturday was the clicking of the club's game-plan, says captain Jobe Watson.

Apart from losing key forward Michael Hurley to injury just after half-time, everything went right for the Bombers in their five-goal victory.

Watson said the coaches' planning had come to fruition, and had bolstered the players' belief things were on the right track. 

"We were really confident in the work we'd done during the week and it was just up to the players to execute the game-plan that those guys had put in place," Watson said on Monday.

"From the players' make-up and mental side, it was really pleasing to see that game-plan being executed."

The Bombers will need to back up their performance on Wednesday in their annual Anzac Day meeting with Collingwood.

After Saturday's game, James Hird predicted five or six changes to the team, and Watson said the club had rested players from the VFL on the weekend as insurance for the Magpies.

Kyle Reimers, Luke Davis, Travis Colyer, Henry Slattery and rookie Mark Baguley could all push for selection against the Magpies.

Watson said the feeling at the club was positive after its best start to a season since its premiership year in 2000, and that the Bombers would take stock of their first block of the year after the Collingwood clash.

"Obviously the guys are really happy and when you're winning games it's a lot better environment to be around," Watson said.

"But, as 'Hurls' (Michael Hurley) touched on last week, we weren't playing great footy but we were grinding wins out.

"But, by circumstance, we don't have a lot of time to reflect on our last game. We've got to move ahead and look forward to Wednesday.

"I think after Wednesday's game we will take some time to reflect on how we've gone in the first five rounds."

Callum Twomey is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey