Essendon
State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Essendon v Geelong - Saturday, May 19, 12pm, Windy Hill
Omitted pair Darcy Parish and Ben McNiece responded strongly in Essendon’s seven-point VFL win over Geelong at Windy Hill on Saturday.
Parish and rookie McNiece were among the Bombers’ most prolific ball winners in performances that should have them in the senior selection mix.
Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger was workmanlike and Aaron Francis continued his good form in defence.
In attack, the versatile Mitch Brown kicked three goals while small forward Josh Green also chimed in with three majors, two of them from snaps in a tense final term.
In his 20 disposals. I would estimate 10 from 10 minutes as a mid and 10 from the rest of his time as a forward. However, to extrapolate that midfield performance to AFL level is dangerous.
Make no mistake, he brings pressure in his forward role inside 50, but does he have the tank to play in the midfield and run both ways ? Probably not. Its clear he might be useful rotating through the midfield but only with some bigger, more mobile mids who will run both ways.
I would like to see Green get more midfield practice if they keep him in the VFL for a week. He could equally gain selection in the AFL this week and I would be OK with it.
P.S. Go to 24:00 and LOL at the disallowed point by Hartley. Redman is screaming at the poor kid to give it to Hartley because he’s 65 out and that means he’s in easy one-step-and-kick range. And then at 24:40 Hartley wants another go…
The Bombers are the VFL’s top-ranked outfit for contested possessions per game and they won that count 170-149 against Geelong, in addition to winning clearances 46-33. Essendon’s Darcy Parish recorded game-highs in both categories with 21 contested possessions and 10 clearances alongside his 32 disposals.
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Redman equal 6th for kicks, equal 14th for marks
Parish equal 3rd for handballs
Younan equal 4th for tackles, St Francis equal 5th
