The Bombers were in control for 95 per cent of the match before losing their last three wickets for nothing to be all out for 193 in heartbreaking circumstances.

"We collapsed at the end losing 4-6," veteran all-rounder Craig Berger said.

"We needed five runs to win and lost 3-0. It's a very disappointing loss. We were all very flat in the rooms afterwards."

The Bombers were in cruise control on 6-187.

Berger (51) combined with teenage sensation Tallan Wright (54) in the middle-order to plaster over the cracks exposed by a misfiring top-order.

Wright was in hot form.

The 17-year-old blasted his half-century off 71 balls in 91 minutes, including four fours and two sixes. It was a breathtaking knock, mouth-watering to think he could be the future of the Bombers.

"It was a positive day for him with his highest score," Berger said. "He batted really well with free stroke play."

The future was on show at Napier Street.

Wright had an intriguing battle with Cats spinner Jeremy Hart, a recent addition to the Victorian second XI, and he won the one-on-one duel.

"It was great to see an up-and-coming leg-spinner go up against our up-and-coming batsmen," Berger said.

The killer blow for the Bombers came with the dismissal of wicketkeeper-batsman Brent Hutchinson two balls before tea.

The exposed tail-end did not handle the attention after tea with Simon Smith and Louis Cameron ousted without troubling the scorers.

If there was a positive for the Bombers, it was the efforts of teeagers Wright, Cameron and Steven Reid with bat and ball.

"If we didn't have those three young guys in the team and we lost in that manner, there wouldn't be much hope for us," Berger said. "We're in a good situation where we've been able to give three young guys good experience, valuable exposure."

The Bombers meet Northcote at the Bill Lawry Oval over the next two Saturdays.

Firsts: Essendon 193 (Wright 54 Berger 51) lt Geelong 197. Seconds: Geelong 6-265 d Ess 96 and 7-183 (Wilson 56 Patton 54no). Thirds: Essendon 8-268 (Carton 71 Dunell 48) d Geelong 204. Fourths: Essendon 9-163 (Rhodes 45) d Geelong 155.