Essendon VFL has put on a dominant display in the final practice against Richmond VFL on Friday.
The Bombers put the disappointing loss to Footscray behind them to run out 77-point winners.
It was a complete team effort with Assistant Coach, Mark Corrigan, believing everybody played their role and played it well right until the end.
“It was a real selfless mentality today and there weren’t too many guys that didn’t play their role,” Corrigan said.
“Sometimes you get ahead of yourselves when you’re leading on the scoreboard.
“To the guys’ credit, they just stuck at it and played with that ‘know your role, play your role’ mentality.”
The coaches put the focus on ball movement and clean possession at training in order to help create a freer flowing game style.
It seems as though the hard work during the week paid off, as Essendon VFL were a class above the opposition.
“Speaking to Ego, and the other coaches during the week, our movement is something that we wanted to work on,” Corrigan said.
“So the focus was to win the contested possession and get the ball moving was a real focus today, and the boys did it well.
“We were also able to move the ball forward really well and lower our eyes and make the right decisions.”
Richmond VFL were held scoreless for the opening quarter, with Aaron Heppell, Nathan Grima and Josh Freezer all instrumental in the backline.
Youngsters Aaron Francis and Mason Redman also showed positive signs, with Francis important across the backline and Redman kicking three goals up forward.
However, it was Jake Long who again stole the show continuing his recent string of impressive performances.
Long played well off the wing, demonstrating an ability to put pressure on the opposition, find and create space and hit his targets with great accuracy.
“He’s been fantastic for us on the wing, it’s almost like he’s found a new lease on life.
“He reads the game really well, makes good decisions, knows when to impact, when to hold out and he’s just composed.
“He was still also able to bring that pressure, so he’s a really good find for us on the wing.”
After being dropped from the senior side, Shaun McKernan was on a mission to prove that he was up to the task as a forward.
Aside from playing well in the ruck, McKernan went forward to kick 6 goals for the game – three of them coming in the first quarter.
Unfortunately, the day was cut short for the big man after he went down with an ankle injury.
The Club will have to wait for scans before clearing McKernan of any serious damage.
Attention will now turn to preparing for next week’s season opener against Werribee, as the team look to start the season off on the right foot.
Essendon VFL 21. 7 (133)
Richmond VFL 8. 8 (56)
Goals: McKernan 6, Grimley 4, Redman 3, El Moussalli 2, Edwards, Laverde, Michael, Heppell, Heavyside. Ferry
Best: Hams, Long, McKernan, McNiece, Coghlan, Francis
Injuries: McKernan (ankle)
