Nick O’Brien’s comeback to the Bombers will enter a new phase on Saturday when he leads the VFL side onto the ground for the first time.
The Bombers travel to Sandringham to take on the Zebras and after a long series of practice matches O’Brien said the team is ready to compete for premiership points.
“We’re excited because it’s been a longer process to get to round one, compared to previous years,” O’Brien said.
“We’ve had a good couple of weeks with practice matches, reviewing games and studying the opposition.
“There are also a few guys that will play their first game for the Club this week, so there is a lot of excitement in the air.”
Trevor Barker Oval is located near the bay in Sandringham and strong gusts of wind are common.
“We understand that Sandringham are always pretty hard to beat down there. It can be challenging conditions being close to the beach,” O’Brien said.
“The VFL is one of those competitions where you have to start well, get some wins on the board early, so that’s what we are focusing on.
“It’s about the consistent four quarters.
“Last weekend was probably the first of the practice matches that we felt as though we were consistent each quarter. Hopefully we can do that again, start really well and see what happens.”
Last time the two sides met was in round ten last year, with Sandringham getting home by 28-points.
“We have a fairly different list to last year, so that result doesn’t change the way we approach this game,” O’Brien said.
The VFL skipper was sidelined last Saturday, opting to rest and take a seat in the coaches box.
“I had a little bit of tightness in my glute, as round one was a week away, it was best for me to have a rest," he said.
“I had a better view of what was going on around the field from higher up. I was able to chat with the guys from a different level and give them some more informed feedback.
“It’s harder when you’re out on the field playing to give the best feedback because you don’t always know exactly what’s going on.”
O’Brien and the rest of the leadership group have been focusing on ensuring the relationship between the AFL listed players and the VFL group is as strong as it can be.
“I want to make sure we have the best transition for the AFL guys to come back and provide a good environment for them, but also to help the VFL listed guys with their development,” O’Brien said.
“It will be good to build an environment where both the AFL and the VFL guys feel as though they are getting optimal development.”
O’Brien has a strong connection to the Club, being drafted to the AFL side in 2011. After a short stint last year in Adelaide he returned to the Bombers as a VFL listed player.
“It’s been good to be back,” he said.
“It’s a Club that I have had a fair bit to do with, after my time in the AFL side. I’ve always had a really close tie with the Club. If I was ever going to come back to Victoria, this is where I wanted to be.
“I still feel like it’s my home Club.”
Essendon will go head-to-head with Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday from 2pm.
