An inaccurate Essendon VFL went down by 28 points to Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday.
The Zebras got the win kicking 15.13 (103) to the Bombers 9.21 (75).
Here are a few of the names that may be in line for a senior recall.
James Polkinghorne
30 disposals (17 kicks, 13 handballs), six marks, three tackles, eight inside 50’s, three rebound 50’s.
Polkinghorne was outstanding in his first game back at VFL level and did enough to suggest it could be a short return. He relished the role as an inside midfielder when the team needed a big body in the contest and spread both ways over the ground.
Jason Ashby
25 disposals (12 kicks, 13 handballs), five marks, four tackles, three inside 50’s, four rebound 50’s.
Ashby was dominant in the first half in particular with 14 touches and carried that through the remainder of the game. He has been good at VFL level this season but needed a standout game like this one to mount a serious case to add to his ten AFL games. Chopped off plenty of Sandy’s possession on Sunday and took the game on at every opportunity.
Conor McKenna
17 disposals (10 kicks, seven handballs), one goal, two marks, four tackles, three inside 50’s, two inside 50’s.
Provided one of the highlights of the day in the third quarter with a give and go goal on the run from 50 metres. McKenna was lively through the midfield and up forward and was often linking and creating play through the Bombers good forward entries. Has played the last two VFL matches.
Jayden Laverde
10 disposals (eight kicks, two marks), three goals, six marks, one tackle, one inside 50.
Playing his first game back after a shoulder injury, Laverde looked very impressive and covered the ground well. Led well to the ball and was always a presence, providing a good option for the midfielders. Kicked 3.2 for the day and missed shots that weren’t as hard as the ones he kicked. May need some more game time in the VFL but is a player that Worsfold will love to have available.
Best of the VFL
Sam Heavyside
21 disposals (14 kicks, seven handballs), three marks, six tackles, five inside 50’s, one rebound 50.
Produced his best game of the season in terms of numbers and it would have been a great game if he had have converted a couple of chances he had in front of goal. Heavyside was a target in the air and was good on the ground with his ability to win the ball and pressure his Zebra opponents.
Nash Holmes
18 disposals (11 kicks, seven handballs), one mark, 10 tackles, two inside 50’s, four free’s for.
Hard not to love a young kid who plays the way that Holmes does. In only his second VFL game he led the Bombers in tackles with 10 and could have kicked a couple of goals but registered two behinds. His number 76 jumper is repeatedly the last getting up from under the packs.
