Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy could sniff the makings of a 2006 revival after a record score against AFL arch-rival Carlton.

But before the Bombers start planning for next season, Sheedy is determined to avoid the worst season of his legendary 25-year coaching stint at Windy Hill.

The Bombers moved to eight wins for the year with their 99-point demolition of Carlton at the MCG, 28.14 (182) to 11.17 (83).

It beat their previous high of 27.14 against Carlton, set in 1985, and went within 10 points of its best winning margin against the Blues.

Sheedy's worst years as Essendon coach were nine wins in 1987 and '97, meaning he has already started pumping up next week's last match of the year against finalist Melbourne.

"I don't want to lose again this year, we're going into a final....seven days ahead of last year," he said, referring to last year's elimination final win over the Demons.

"That's why last week (losing to Hawthorn) was disappointing, because we could have won that one."

Sheedy fired up his players before this match by saying it was the "worst" Essendon team he had coached.

He back-pedalled on that a little after the match by describing it as the youngest Bombers side under his reign, but the point had been made.

The upside of that youth, and its undoubted quality, is what might lie ahead.

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