Essendon has lost to traditional rivals Carlton in Sunday afternoon’s game at the MCG.
In a game that didn’t provide many highlights, both sides were slow out of the blocks with scoring heavily limited in the first half.
The low scoring meant that the Bombers were never out of the game and, despite hitting the front late in the third quarter, it was the Blues who came away with the four points.
Coach John Worsfold was once again pleased with the effort displayed from the team and praised their attitude in fighting right until the end.
The game was riddled with basic skill errors for both sides, leaving Worsfold frustrated but with a clear idea of what needed work.
“It appeared that, when we got the momentum, we would win the footy back and then kick it straight to (Carlton) and they would get an easy goal against the flow through a mistake,” said Worsfold following the game
“That’s the story of where we are at the moment.
“We get frustrated in the Coaches’ box thinkning ‘We’re in this game now’ and then just a straight kick back to the opposition.”
Worsfold and the coaching group will also encourage the team to work on their on field communication, believing that it would help minimise the basic yet costly on field errors.
While this may seem difficult in a team with a large amount of youth and a constantly changing line-up, Worsfold believes that the team will be able to get it right before the end of the year.
“At the moment, they don’t know each other well enough to be able to adjust out there and know who and what role certain players are playing,” said Worsfold
“When they’ve played a lot of footy together they’ll just know everybody’s role and there what their set-up is.
“They’ve got to communicate to each other when they come and off the ground a lot better.
“We’re aiming to try and get that this year.
“The hard part is that there’s a lot of players playing out there who may not be with us post this season.”
Bombers fans would have once again been impressed with the youth on display.
Darcy Parish and Orazio Fantasia continued their good start to the season, kicking three goals between them and providing plenty of run.
Down back, Michael Hartley was once again up to the task while the recalled Marty Gleeson played with a tenacity that was hard to ignore.
For Worsfold, this was the most pleasing part of the day.
“It’s all development for us, learning and adjusting.
“The continued development of Hartley, Fantasia and even Langford… they’re all positive for us.
“A lot of these players have a lot to learn about the game, so they’re going to make mistakes and get in the wrong position at times.
“They’re learning things for us.”
Veteran Adam Cooney was also impressive, hitting back at critics after a disappointing ANZAC Day.
Cooney showed plenty of explosiveness breaking tackles and running through the opposition on several occasions, collecting 28 disposals along the way.
Courtenay Dempsey also found his rhythm across the half-back line, providing plenty of run and laying several bone crunching tackles on the opposition.
Match Facts:
MEDICAL ROOM
Carlton: The Blues' No.1 pick from last year came off the ground in the second quarter cradling his right arm. His right shoulder dislocated momentarily but popped back in. Carlton confirmed after the game the young defender had suffered a subluxation (partial dislocation) of his right shoulder, but was hopeful he wouldn't miss any football.
Essendon: Mathew Stokes came off in the first quarter with a "very tight" hamstring, according to Worsfold. He returned to the field and collected 15 disposals but will have a scan on Monday morning.
NEXT UP
It's another big game for the Blues next Saturday afternoon, when they face the Magpies at the MCG. The Bombers play the twilight game that day at the SCG against the Sydney Swans.
CARLTON 3.1 3.7 5.9 10.12 (72) ESSENDON 1.1 1.4 4.8 8.9 (57)
GOALS
Carlton: Wright 2, Thomas, Jones, Lamb, Gibbs, Murphy, Armfield, Sumner, Phillips Essendon: Brown 2, Parish 2, Fantasia, Polkinghorne, Daniher, Grimley
BEST
Carlton: Thomas, Gibbs, Curnow, Murphy, Simpson, Byrne, Kerridge Essendon: Cooney, Zaharakis, Simpkin, Gwilt, Merrett
INJURIES
Carlton: Patrick Cripps (calf tightness) replaced in the selected side by Simon White, Jacob Weitering (shoulder) Essendon: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Nicholls, Chamberlain
Official crowd: 43,827 at the MCG
