Essendon VFL has risen to second on the ladder after winning its last four matches.
A number of key Dons have had great seasons to date, while others are striving for consistency or fitness.
Here is all you need to know about who may be pressing for senior selection.
Player |
2015 VFL Averages |
Mid-Season Summary |
Nick O’Brien 2015 VFL games: 9 Goals: 1 | Disposals: 30 Marks: 6 Tackles: 3 Inside 50s: 4 Rebound 50s: 3
| Easily the best performed VFL Bomber so far. Has dominated every game averaging 30 disposals. O’Brien continues to provide leadership and steadiness around the contest week-in-week-out. |
Alex Browne 2015 VFL games: 9 Goals: 5 | Disposals: 22 Marks: 7 Tackles: 2 Inside 50s: 4 Rebound 50s: 2
| Coming back from a knee injury last year, Browne has begun to show glimpses of his very best. Browne has played every VFL match this season and he’s beginning to string some consistent games together. |
Kurt Aylett 2015 VFL games: 9 | Disposals: 20 Marks: 5 Tackles: 4 Inside 50s: 2 Rebound 50s: 2
| Rookie-listed Aylett has been a solid VFL contributor this season, playing a valuable role through the midfield. His tackling and pressure around the contest is fantastic. |
Jonathan Giles 2015 VFL games: 9 Goals: 11 | Disposals: 13 Marks: 4 Tackles: 3 Hitouts: 22 Inside 50s: 2
| Since crossing from GWS last season, Giles has been important for the VFL Dons holding down a key ruck position. It’s important for Giles to continue to kick goals, adding another string to his bow, in order to be in consideration for the AFL side in the second half of the season. |
Ariel Steinberg 2015 VFL games: 9
| Disposals: 20 Marks: 9 Tackles: 3 Inside 50s: 1 Rebound 50s: 5
| Steinberg is the heart and soul of this VFL team. Week-after-week he nullifies the best forwards as well as beginning many chains of attack from defence. On the rookie list, Steinberg continues to perform consistently. |
Jayden Laverde 2015 VFL games: 8 Goals: 5 | Disposals: 12 Marks: 5 Tackles: 3 Inside 50s: 2
| In his first year donning the sash, Laverde has come on in leaps and bounds. His all-round game is beginning to excite coaches as he draws closer to an AFL debut. He has provided an excellent ‘lead up’ option for midfielders looking to transition into attack. |
Shaun McKernan 2015 VFL games: 7 Goals: 12 | Disposals: 21 Marks: 7 Tackles: 4 Inside 50s: 3 Rebound 50s: 1
| This guy lights up the field every single time he plays VFL. Clearly a step above the rest, McKernan is the obvious choice to be the rookie upgraded onto the senior list following round 11. He takes a strong grab, is agile around the ground and has the ability to play in the ruck. |
Shaun Edwards 2015 VFL games: 7 Goals: 9 | Disposals: 16 Marks: 6 Tackles: 3 Inside 50s: 3 Rebound 50s: 1
| Edwards was awarded his first AFL game for the Bombers last weekend against the Eagles and it was well deserved. His last month in the VFL prior to that was excellent, with his defensive side of his game a real feature. |
Lachlan Dalgleish 2015 VFL games: 7 Goals: 7 | Disposals: 15 Marks: 3 Tackles: 1 Inside 50s: 2 Rebound 50s: 3
| After lighting up the NAB Challenge up with a sensational running goal, Dalgleish sustained a knee injury in round one of the VFL. Since returning, he has begun to play himself into some nice form as he regains full fitness. Dalgleish will be looking to sustain some consistency in the back half of the season. |
Conor McKenna 2015 VFL games: 7 Goals: 8 | Disposals: 9 Marks: 3 Tackles: 2 Inside 50s: 1
| McKenna was one of the real highlights from the VFL side's big win over Geelong. He kicked four goals that night and has shown some real flair inside the forward 50. |
Orazio Fantasia 2015 VFL games: 6 Goals: 1 | Disposals: 20 Marks: 5 Tackles: 3 Inside 50s: 3 Rebound 50s: 2
| Fantasia hasn’t looked out of place in the AFL side since returning to the line-up against Geelong. His dash and excellent decision making skills have been invaluable for the VFL Dons all season. |
