Young defender Mason Redman has praised Essendon’s ability to keep finding a way to win, following Sunday’s 10-point victory over a gallant Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.
Below their best, the Bombers were still able to overturn a 27-point deficit and extend their undefeated streak to five games, capping off a perfect July which also included wins over Sydney (10 points), North Melbourne (five) and Adelaide (21).
“It’s awesome to get the win, but we didn’t come out and play as we would have liked. Four points is four points, we need to keep ticking them off,” Redman said.
“We’ve built a lot of belief over the last year to two years. We always knew we’d keep coming, so it was good that we stuck to what we know, even though it was a bit ugly.
“We got the job done in the end.”
Cale Hooker again proved the hero, swung forward in the dying stages to kick the go-ahead goal with a minute left.
Cale Hooker celebrates his go-ahead goal alongside Jake Stringer. (Photo: AFL Photos)
With injured star Michael Hurley still on the sidelines, Hooker’s switch left an inexperienced back-line to contend with a dangerous Suns attack in the final minutes.
But Redman, who recorded 24 disposals and a team-high five rebound 50s last night, said the move was a testament to how much he and his young comrades had grown this season.
“All of the boys have been holding up in the back-line. When ‘Hooksy’ did go forward, we knew we could hold the fort down there.
“Aaron’s (Francis) come in this back half of the year and done really well and so has ‘Gleeso’ (Martin Gleeson) coming back from injury. We’ve got that belief in each other to get the job done.”
After back-to-back interstate games, Essendon returns to Melbourne to host Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Redman said the Bombers would need to be ready to bring the heat in what is expected to be a high-intensity contest between two sides chasing a spot in the top eight.
“We want to come out, work on the track this week and make sure we get back to doing what we want to do, because tonight wasn’t necessarily how we want to play.
“We know the Power are a good team, so we expect a fierce contest.”
