News

Bombers turn up the heat in intra-club

Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Cara Pelchen for essendonfc.com.au
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The Bombers have guaranteed the selection committee some headaches ahead of the club’s NAB Cup opener against West Coast next Friday, braving hot conditions to put on a tightly contested display in their first intra-club match at Shepparton today.

The two-hour hit-out saw a number of players putting their hands up for contention for a berth against West Coast with Patrick Ryder, David Hille, Angus Monfries and Jason Winderlich all looking impressive.

Click here to see the Matthew Knights post-match media conference and match highlights.

David Hille was a standout early, throwing himself into the thick of the action in his first hit-out since suffering a knee injury in ANZAC Day last year.

Starting out in the goalsquare, Hille provided a handy tall marking option where he converted the first major of the match before moving into the ruck mid-way through the first term. He moved well around the ground and looks well on track to make a return to senior football sooner rather than later.

Show there's Essendon blood in your veins and become a member by clicking here.

Scott Gumbleton showed no signs of the back injury that sidelined the 21-year-old last season. The key position forward added value as an agile marking target with a strong lead and ability to convert (two goals) and looked to have gained some confidence from the run. Gumbleton and emerging defender Tatye Pears played on each other and had a very competitive battle.

Jason Winderlich also looked better for a full pre-season under his belt and was argueably best-on-ground.

Two back operations limited the speedy midfielder's preparation for the 2009 season but he showed no signs of injury as he took on his opponents and provided slick running through the midfield.

Be at the 2010 Season Launch - Etihad Stadium Tuesday 16 March

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Great to hear that Hille & Gumby did well.Does create a headache for the selection team in a nice way! Looking forward towards a great 2010. Still waiting for my membership pack & i live only a stonethrow away from Windyhill :(! Hope i get it soon. Srikanth

- Srikanth Kancherla (posted 3/02/2010 7:40:16 PM)

Great News on Gumby and Hille.

- Andrew Couch (posted 3/02/2010 7:42:36 PM)

This is great bombers, and no injuries,thats so exciting, i feel a great year is goingto happen for the bombers

- Paul Pascuzzi (posted 3/02/2010 7:46:01 PM)

Fantastic news, plus no injuries, i'm really excited now, go the dons!

- Joseph Attard (posted 3/02/2010 7:49:27 PM)

How long is soon with the video and are their going to be any photos?

- Nick Holdsworth (posted 3/02/2010 7:50:40 PM)

Having Hille as an option in the goal square will help the team in those real high pressure games where the ball just gets bombed into the forward line. It will be interesting to see if anyone can out muscle him. Go Bombers.

- Dominic Lauricella (posted 3/02/2010 7:55:49 PM)

Gumby & Hilley looking good for Dream Team selection. Good value too!

- Scott Stephenson (posted 3/02/2010 7:57:12 PM)

How did Prismall and Hurley do?

- Dominic Lauricella (posted 3/02/2010 7:57:38 PM)

Great to see Hille has come back from what was a massive loss for us last year.Was neagle anywhere to be seen or should number 18 be out there still?

- Mark Casey (posted 3/02/2010 8:20:03 PM)

Can't wait for a full report, Have had withdrawal symptoms sinse the last game,have had butterflies & been biting my nails waiting for a report, I need a fix people & I'm just an old supporter, imagine how all the 1st & 2nd year kids were feeling..pass the valium please.., not long now Diane, David & Kris, hang in there guys

- Mark McLachlan (posted 3/02/2010 8:23:46 PM)

Awesome News!! Good call Dominic on Big Dave! Even the likes of Bock & Scarlett will have great difficulty stopping the big fella in full flight.. He's our perfect FF option now that will cause major headaches for most teams. On the chance he drops a few he has some speedy freakishly tallented forwards at his feet...this is exciting!!! Lets Do This...

- Shane Bomitali (posted 3/02/2010 8:55:12 PM)

Good to hear that Winders/Hille/Gumby all had a good run. Prismall will benefit from a full pre-season too. Come a long way from rnd 22 2008 when we were struggling to field a full team. Looking forward to 2010.

- Sam Willis (posted 3/02/2010 9:16:48 PM)

Why do they keep talking about the same players over and over...I mean by all means Im happy for Paddy, Hille, WInderlich, Gumbleton etc....But I'm more interested in who the sleeping giants are...the players ready to take the next step!

- Joshua Ryan (posted 3/02/2010 9:36:49 PM)

Fantastic to see Hille back playing!!

- Matt Oaten (posted 3/02/2010 9:48:19 PM)

Come on bomber fans become a member and beat all the other teams in vic go bombers

- Neville Knight (posted 3/02/2010 9:55:05 PM)

Let's see the look on the competitions collective faces when they realise David Hille is in the goal square. Can't wait.

- Daniel Milford (posted 3/02/2010 10:03:57 PM)

I too had my fix today Mark,cant wait.Watched the 93 prelim today,too hard thinking about the boys playing and not being able to watch so did the next best thing.Great to hear no injuries,even better still will be able to watch on bomber tv soon.Thanks essendon,always thinking of the fans.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 3/02/2010 10:06:04 PM)

Pumped for 2010.. great to hear Prismal & Mcveigh had big games. Which one to pick for the dreamteam???

- Jordan Ancrum (posted 3/02/2010 10:18:27 PM)

Come On Bombers Come On Come One Come On Bombers Come On! Lets bring on 2010

- Katrina Kuypers (posted 3/02/2010 10:19:23 PM)

Great to read that the boys are progressing well. The little bit I saw on the news Hille looked pretty good. Just keep him monitored and he'll be back to his best.

- Matt Pocock (posted 3/02/2010 10:29:49 PM)

Yes Husky I see some similiarities to 93 with a young unknown midfield( and a surname of watson)and some very experienced leaders that just need a season with no injury and some luck -that feeds self belief and the ability to believe you are good enough to win!

- Mark Brooker (posted 3/02/2010 10:34:41 PM)

Wow, did that game strike a chord with the list. Some of us had better have oxygen ready for Round 1. And looks like all my voodoo worked as there were no injuries! Really looking forward to reading about the match-ups and seeing some footage. And MY fix arrived in the post: a Bombers T-shirt and bar set. All I need now is a game!

- Kris Bayne (posted 3/02/2010 10:46:16 PM)

Come on bomber fans become a member and beat all the other teams in vic go bombers

- Neville Knight (posted 3/02/2010 11:15:38 PM)

A bit dissapointing watching a senior player act a tad over the top in his treatment of Kyle Reimers .... uncalled for, it's supposed to be a "team".

- James Deen (posted 3/02/2010 11:38:19 PM)

A scratch match is just that. Great we had no injuries and everybody had a touch.Will be interested next week up close and personal here in the West. Chardannay rate themselves so we have to do the business.

- Neville Brooker (posted 4/02/2010 1:00:55 PM)

The NAB is just a glorified "scratch match" as well so don't read too much into the result..just a game to try new players in new positions, set plays and a way to put more money in the AFL coffers

- Mark McLachlan (posted 9/02/2010 10:57:45 AM)

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