Having played the first four games in the seniors before heading to Bendigo for seven weeks, Monfries made an immediate impact on his return to the Bombers on Friday night against the West Coast Eagles with 17 disposals and five tackles.
""It was great to get back into the seniors, I was trying to do as best as I could while I was on the ground,"" Monfries explained.
""I wanted to play as much senior footy as I could, but I wasn’t getting as much match time as needed to maintain my fitness so I probably did need that stint back in the VFL to increase my match fitness and learn a bit more in the twos,"" Monfries explained.
The most impressive aspect of Monfries game, was his endeavour and hardness at the ball. ""I just try my best at every contest and I suppose that’s the way I have been brought up playing and hopefully that is the way I continue to play.""
""With Andrew Lovett coming off early in the first quarter, a bit more responsibility was put on me and I felt I had to perform to fill his shoes.""
Despite the loss, Monfries believes there were positive signs from the game that can be taken into the second half of the season.
""We went out there definitely to win the game and that was our aim from the start, we didn’t go over there to loose, so it was a disappointing.
""But what we did take from it was that we can match it with best side in the competition at the moment and to be with them with 10 minutes to go in the final quarter was a pleasing sign.""
But modestly, Monfries is just hoping he can be part of the Essendon team that plays St Kilda next Friday night.
""You never know what the coaches are thinking, but hopefully I have done enough to hold my spot for this week and then hopefully play well enough to hold my spot for the rest of the year.""
Monfries is currently at home in Adelaide until Friday having a well-deserved rest, but he is eager to get back playing the game.
""It’s probably a good time to have a bit of a break in the middle of the year to recuperate and rest your body and mind. But I love playing footy so I am a bit disappointed there is no game this weekend,"" he said.
