Essendon are coming off a nailbiting Anzac Day loss to Collingwood and are showing strong signs of life at 3-3 after a poor opening fortnight to the season.

The four-time Essendon premiership coach said on Monday that this is the best the club has looked in at least five years as the Bombers recover from the supplements debacle.

As Essendon continue to find their way, Geelong are a game clear at the top of the ladder and coming off a battering of reigning premiers West Coast ahead of Sunday's annual country festival game at the MCG.

"This is a great opportunity to see where Essendon are, against a top side," Sheedy said.

"That's what our Bombers fans are looking for - have we come anywhere, are we going anywhere? Are we wasting our time?"

Sheedy could not resist a dig at the Cats, saying not much should be read into their mauling of the Eagles.

"I don't really count Geelong's win (on Sunday), because West Coast didn't turn up, it's as simple as that," he said.

But Geelong are far better placed than Essendon, who have not won a final since 2004 - when Sheedy was still coaching them.

"We probably don't have our best side out there yet, but I reckon in general we are positioned to be the best Essendon team out there I've seen in at least the last five years," Sheedy said.

"John Worsfold is a very steadying coach and he's preparing a side to get better and stronger."

Sheedy was asked if the nightmare of 2012-16 is finally behind Essendon.

"The club has worked very hard to make sure we leave history in the past and move to the future," he said.

Sheedy was in vintage form at Monday's country festival launch, with the famous Richmond back pocket plumber addressing the hot topic of fans booing players.

"Everyone seems to get booed lately ... I loved getting booed when I played," he said.

"If I didn't get booed when I played, I'd go home disappointed.

"It's just a different way we look at life."

Bombers midfielder Zach Merrett said they are building solid form.

"The last four weeks, we've probably played 12 or 13 quarters the way we wanted," he said.

"So that's a real positive.

"We took some really good learnings out of those first two weeks and we're starting to apply them pretty consistently now."

Australian Associated Press