Essendon VFL’s gritty five-point win over Sandringham on Sunday hosted several starring efforts from the Bombers’ AFL-listed contingent.

While it was most apparent in the midfield, where the torrid weather conditions saw a stoppage-heavy game dictated by contested ball winners, the Dons also got a kick out of their half backs and some strong efforts by their key defenders.

Senior Coach Blake Caracella recaps their performances and highlights some solid outings from an improving group of VFL-listed players. 

Elijah Tsatas

34 disposals, seven clearances, six marks, two tackles

Elijah found plenty of the footy again, competed really hard (15 contested touches) and was really creative this week by hand which led to some big opportunities for us.

He’s played some negating defensive roles in recent weeks but we allowed him to just play his natural game on Sunday and he did it well.

Ben Hobbs

24 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances, four marks

‘Hobbsy’ was really solid for us.

Overall, he was in the trenches quite a bit given the conditions and he was just super combative in tight. It’s just good to see him doing what he does best week-on-week.

Sam Weideman

23 disposals, seven marks

‘Weids’ has been back for a couple of weeks now following a couple of layoffs from injury and suspension but he’s playing some really strong footy down back.

He’s still learning the ropes in some aspects but he gets better in the role every week and provides a great deal of leadership in the key posts.

Will Setterfield

25 disposals, 13 tackles, six clearances

Plenty of stoppages for the mids this week and ‘Setters’ got his hands dirty as a result.

He did a great job at extracting in some key moments and dishing out to the runners to get us going and take the ball forward. He’s been in good form.

Lewis Hayes

Eight disposals, two marks

‘Hayesy’s getting better each week and this weekend was proof of that.

He’s gaining a lot of experience and confidence in his game and even though he didn’t get a lot of the ball, his contest work was strong and his teammates gave him plenty of support back there too.

The defence generally has enjoyed a pretty good 6-7 weeks now.

Nick Hind

27 disposals, 10 marks, four tackles

‘Hindy’ played half-back early but we pushed him to the wing in the second half and he had a big impact on the game in both roles.

He used his speed quite a lot, which was damaging in the conditions and generated plenty of opportunities for us, but looked strong in the tackle too.

Nick Bryan

36 hit-outs, 18 disposals, 10 clearances, five tackles, four marks

It was a good battle for ‘Bristle’ as a younger ruckman up against an experienced guy in Tom Campbell.

I thought he got on top as the game went on and had a big influence around the ground which we’ve been really pushing to see from him.

It was really good to see him have one of his better games in those conditions.

Alwyn Davey Jnr

10 disposals, six tackles

Alwyn just has that real speed to close players down and put on pressure, which is exciting.

I can see his game rounding out a bit more now, expanding his role and building layers to both his offensive and defensive work – that knock-on late to set up Toma’s goal was impressive.

Luamon Lual

11 disposals, three marks, two tackles

‘Luey’ actually found himself in the forward 50 on a few occasions this week and looked pretty dangerous.

On a few occasions he wasn’t able to get the reward, whether it was a near miss at goal or a teammate not spotting him.

He’s playing our system quite well, getting it down pat and we just love his ability to win the ball defensively and use his speed to advantage, which we see more of with every game he plays.

Jayden Davey

15 disposals, three marks, one goal

I thought it was a better game from Jayden this week.

He got up the ground and helped out defensively, he competed hard both at ground level and in the air and hit the scoreboard, so it was probably the most complete game I’ve seen from him this season.

Archie Roberts

28 disposals, six marks, one goal

‘Robbo’s showing a great deal of scope, playing well in multiple positions (we swapped him with ‘Hindy’ to half-back after the main break).

He’s having such a great year. For his size, he’s been really contested and held his own at the level, so we’re impressed by what we’re seeing at the moment.

Vigo Visentini

Five disposals, five hit-outs, two marks

‘Vigs’ didn’t quite get his lick of the ice-cream this week but took a couple of strong marks in the wet.

For a young and raw ruckman, it takes a while to get accustomed to taking on more experienced bodies and he’s holding his own pretty well.

He does enough good things in these early stages to suggest he has a promising career ahead of him.

Tex Wanganeen

15 disposals, three marks, one goal

Tex has found his feet down back really quickly.

He played a lot of his juniors there but seeing his ability to win the ball back and gel with the other defenders has been a big positive for us.

The last quarter goal he kicked was just freakish, going with a checkside against the wind like that and it gave us a real boost. He’s really enjoying the footy.

Notable VFL performers

Tom Toma (19 disposals, five tackles, one goal)

Jackson Hately (19 disposals, four clearances, two goals)

Jack Jedwab (10 disposals, four marks, two goals)

I said to the players after the game, it felt like everyone on the ground just had a moment or two during the game where it was their turn to do something special and they all got it done.

Jack Peris (seven tackles) made a big impact defensively after a few weeks out with that ankle injury, we really missed his tenacity and pressure.

James Barrat, a 17-year-old from the bush made his VFL debut for us in his hopes to eventually get drafted and he showed some good signs given it was quite a physical game for a young player.

As an Essendon supporter from childhood, it was a pretty special moment for him and his family too.

Jedwab’s ability to kick a drop punt from that distance and angle into the breeze was huge and having Tom Toma in ‘game on-the-line’ situations is just amazing.

The way Toma hunts and competes to just will the team to win gives everyone a massive lift.

The players should be really proud of that effort.