Essendon performance coach Ben Rutten says the team’s new defensive tactics will not inhibit the side’s natural flair.
Rutten is in charge of team defence and the key-position player development, and he said he is confident the Bombers have found the right balance between attack and defence this pre-season.
“That’s the art of coaching; how do you provide a bit of a framework and structure without taking away from guys’ natural flair and ability, which the boys here have got a lot of,” Rutten said on Wednesday.
“It’s about finding that balance and making sure that people can express themselves and we can see the best out of them, whilst still being predictable and playing within our team structure.
“The guys are really positive, we’ve been really happy with our pre-season and what we’ve been able to do.”
Who's running hot on the track?
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Thursday night’s JLT Community Series opener against Carlton will provide the side with its first opportunity to properly test the new structures Rutten has put in place since arriving from Richmond in August.
While each side will only take part in two official pre-season matches this year, he said there is still enough time to tinker with the team’s strategies ahead of Essendon’s clash with Greater Western Sydney on March 24.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, we’ve introduced some slightly new concepts throughout the summer, so at the moment it’s about getting some cohesion and chemistry going with our team.
“It’s a good chance when you play on opposition to start getting some feedback on how that’s going and there’s still a little bit of time between now and the start of the season where we can look to evolve and adapt what we’ve been doing.”
Rutten reaffirmed that star forward Joe Daniher will make his long-awaited return for the Bombers against the Blues, and he said the powerful goalkicker has been able to achieve everything asked of him in recent weeks.
“We’re responding to the way he feels and the way he backs up after sessions,” Rutten said.
“Especially in the last three or four weeks, we’ve been able to push him and he’s been able to handle the loads and back up again, so he’s feeling really positive and good.
“Out of the game tomorrow, if he can pull up and feel good, that’s a big win for us.”
He's ready ✅
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) February 25, 2019
The inclusion of the 2017 Crichton Medalist for his first game since round seven last year has buoyed the squad ahead of Thursday’s hit-out, but Rutten said the club has put no added pressure on the 24-year-old.
“It certainly adds a bit of a buzz for the group and it’s certainly a positive for him.
“(It is) a great credit to our medical team, our coaches and guys who have done a power of work behind the scenes to get him to where he’s at – that’s not just a one-man show.
“It’s going to be great to have him back in, but he’s just got to play a role and come in and play to the way we want to play, just as any other player does.
“What he gives us will be great, but we’re not going to be too reliant on what he’s going to be doing.”
Rutten said there is still scope for Daniher to improve as he looks to return to his best football in 2019.
“His greatest strength is his height and his ability to run and jump at it, so we’re not going to take that away from him, but it’s about how can we make him a little more diverse and well-rounded.”
The first bounce on Thursday is set for 6:40pm at Ikon Park, and the final team will be announced at 6:20pm on Wednesday.
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