Essendon’s Senior Assistant Coach, Mark Thompson believes shutting down the Western Bulldog’s hard-hitting midfield will be the Bombers’ key to success when the two teams meet at Sunday’s Round 1 clash.
Revealing his pleasant surprise at the depth and quality of the young Essendon list, Thompson said Sunday’s match will be a challenge the Bombers are ready for.
“I guess it is about us and how we want to play. We’ve certainly changed the way we play from past years and it’s just about implementing that and seeing how we go against a good team in the Western Bulldogs,” Thompson said.
“I guess it is about us and how we want to play. We’ve certainly changed the way we play from past years and it’s just about implementing that and seeing how we go against a good team in the Western Bulldogs,” Thompson said.
“Barry Hall will be one of many key players to stop, because their midfield is really strong and they really attack the ball and use the ball well,” Thompson said.
Assistant Coach Simon Goodwin added the Bombers will be challenged by last year’s top four side, but Sunday’s clash was an opportunity to put pre-season practice into play, and to claim the four points on offer each week.
“I think everyone is looking forward to the week ahead because from here on in we start playing genuine games of footy and I don’t think we could have asked for better preparations in the way we have gone about the pre-season and the way the players have embraced it.”
“I guess the real challenge for us now [in the lead up to Round 1] is to really challenge ourselves against one of the top four sides from last year and show what our pre-season has been like over the summer and to put that on show on Sunday,” Goodwin said.
Thompson told The Engine Room that Essendon’s pre-season campaign had uncovered quality talent, particularly with a number of young Bomber players impressing the coaching panel during the summer.
“We’ve had a really good summer and my evaluation of the list now is much better than what I thought it would be. There have been a lot of players that have surprised and I think we have a very deep list and a lot of great guys that can play senior footy.”
“I’ve been really excited by Leroy Jetta and Stewart Crameri, but there have been a lot of the young players who have stepped up, including Benny Howlett and Sam Lonergan- all young players who have taken giant steps over the summer and we’re really looking forward to seeing them play,” Thompson told The Engine Room.
Assistant Coach Simon Goodwin added the Bombers will be challenged by last year’s top four side, but Sunday’s clash was an opportunity to put pre-season practice into play, and to claim the four points on offer each week.
“I think everyone is looking forward to the week ahead because from here on in we start playing genuine games of footy and I don’t think we could have asked for better preparations in the way we have gone about the pre-season and the way the players have embraced it.”
“I guess the real challenge for us now [in the lead up to Round 1] is to really challenge ourselves against one of the top four sides from last year and show what our pre-season has been like over the summer and to put that on show on Sunday,” Goodwin said.
Thompson told The Engine Room that Essendon’s pre-season campaign had uncovered quality talent, particularly with a number of young Bomber players impressing the coaching panel during the summer.
“We’ve had a really good summer and my evaluation of the list now is much better than what I thought it would be. There have been a lot of players that have surprised and I think we have a very deep list and a lot of great guys that can play senior footy.”
“I’ve been really excited by Leroy Jetta and Stewart Crameri, but there have been a lot of the young players who have stepped up, including Benny Howlett and Sam Lonergan- all young players who have taken giant steps over the summer and we’re really looking forward to seeing them play,” Thompson told The Engine Room.
