Bendigo travelled to Werribee this week for a clash with two objectives in mind: to sort out the pecking order for 4th spot, and to get some badly needed game time into returning Essendon stars.
In front of a crowd that included the nations Prime Minister they fell agonizingly short of achieving the first aim in a contest of surging fortunes, eventually going down by 9 points. But the second task was ticked off nicely, with Nathan Lovett-Murray and Andrew Welsh emerging unscathed and with valuable minutes under their belts.
Given the rain-soaked proceedings that hit much of Melbourne on Saturday, it was somewhat of a surprise to have the entire game carried out in gentle sunshine. Generally this year, such conditions have favoured Bendigo’s tall, marking players, but they never quite “clicked” against the Tigers.
In an often scrappy and untidy affair, the likes of Scott Gumbleton and Matt Little struggled to have the hoped-for impact up forward and the Bombers had to search for alternative avenues to goal.
It was a very even and workmanlike effort across all four quarters, but couldn’t quite unearth a standout match-winner. The Tigers had the early running, forcing the visitors to chase on the scoreboard across the entire first half.
North Melbourne forward Ben McKinley proved to be a handful for the Bendigo defence all day, ensuring that the local team lead by 10 points at the first change, and extending that to 16 points at the main change. Whilst the Bombers hung in with tenacity appropriate to the stakes being played for, Werribee appeared to have an edge in strength and ball-movement that looked likely to keep their opponents at arm’s-length.
However, all that changed after the resumption. Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers, who had played a very useful first half against Hamish Macintosh and Majak Daw, was forced to sit out the second. Josh Jenkins adopted first ruck duties, with Jay Neagle pinch-hitting to help out. These changes also coincided with a much improved lifting of Bendigo’s running play, and a suddenly slicker outfit began to worry the home side.
Michael Quinn was important around the middle of the ground, Lovett-Murray and Welsh lifted at the stoppages and youngster Sam Kerridge underlined his likely drafting at years-end with a very solid performance.
Gumbleton, who had often been bypassed or caught out of position at Centre Half Forward, moved into the goalsquare and looked far better presenting at the footy.
Tory Dickson – as ever this season – remained dangerous in the forward half, as did the versatile play of Ariel Steinberg. Likewise, rebounding run from half back appeared in the form of Taite Silverlock and Tyson Slattery, while Josh Freezer kept Daw under control when the Tigers player went forward.
Bendigo dominated the term in an incredible turn-around, recording 11 scoring shots to just two. A three-point lead at the final change could -and assuredly should - have been more, given they kicked a wasteful 4.7.
The home team burst out of the blocks at the start of the final quarter, kicking unanswered goals and generally regaining the control.
The result looked likely to favour Werribee until yet another Bendigo fight back mid-way through the stanza not only evened the game, but in fact seized a small lead.
Steinberg continued to prove a potential match winner, but again, a couple of important chances went begging and a game-deciding break could not be achieved.
Werribee fought back as the contest see-sawed wildly before a dashing run and goal from the supremely athletic Daw effectively settled the matter for the Tigers. At the final siren, 16.16 narrowly edged 14.19.
The result was a disappointing one for the visitors, given they overcame a sluggish and untidy first half to put themselves in a winning position before letting it slip. But, whilst the result was unfavourable, some good news did emerge for Essendon.
The most obvious was the promising sign for the immediate future as both Lovett-Murray and Welsh returned strongly from injury. As was to be expected, they lacked match fitness and some “touch”, but nonetheless enjoyed some very good moments and were important in getting Bendigo back into the game. Whether they press for senior selection or not this week, both Essendon and Bendigo will greatly welcome the increase in selection depth as finals approach.
In a similar vein, Bombers co-captain Trent Shinners had his first hit-out in almost two months. Always one to need a few outings to find some form, it appears likely that he will be an important cog in what is often an undersized defence as the season enters its final stages.
To cap-off the positives, Essendon youngsters Luke Davis and Alex Browne were solid once again, and continued their excellent progression. Steinberg displayed his undoubted talents in another eye-catching performance that hinted his potential, both as a marking target, and versatile ball-winner.
In the end Bendigo certainly had opportunities to win the game and came from behind several times to give themselves a hope of victory. But the lack of polish, multiple players returning from injury and the second half mothballing of Bellchambers left the Bombers grasping in vain at a tantalising chance to stay in the hunt for the double chance. Missed chances aside, there was still enough to like about a gritty performance for fans to contemplate a finals series with confidence.
The focus now shifts to next week’s clash with Collingwood at Victoria Park, where a win will solidify the position in the top 8, before returning to the QEO for consecutive home games in the lead-up to a likely elimination final.
Coupled with possible returns for the likes of Tayte Pears and Travis Colyer to competitive match play, and increasing depth from which to choose, it provides yet another incentive for all Dons fans to look on with interest.
