Saturday night’s 23-point win over Richmond could be the catalyst to set up the rest of the VFL season according to development coach Dan Jordan.
The Bombers led by two points at three-quarter time but kicked away late in the hard fought match played in trying conditions at Punt Road Oval.
“We were pretty keen after a couple of losses to atone and get back on the winners board, it now puts us at four-four and sets up our season moving forward,” Jordan said.
Kicking with the wind in the first quarter Richmond controlled the opening pace, with their wayward goal kicking keeping the Bombers in touch.
“Our starts have been a bit slow and it’s something we are working on, Richmond didn’t capitalise on their opportunities and kept us in the game,” Jordan said.
“We felt like we were working in the right areas, but we just couldn’t seem to get the ball forward of centre. When we actually did it broke the shackles a little.
“The guys who were defending in the back half were defending really well and Richmond couldn’t get a major on the scoreboard. We went forward and kicked that goal and gave us a lot of momentum going into quarter time.
“The boys really worked into the game, came home strong and got the result.”
Like Richmond, the Bombers wasted opportunities in the second quarter kicking two goals seven, but managed to rectify to keep the Tigers at arm’s length.
The Bombers forwards were relishing the faster ball movement from the defensive half Jordan said.
“We were concentrating on transitioning out the other side and using our guys with some legs to be able to move the ball quickly and carry the ball and give the forwards an opportunity one on one,” he said.
“The smaller guys, Heavyside and these guys were really getting to the feet of the bigger guys and giving us some opportunity to score.
“When we put it all together with our ball movement it actually looks really good to we will continue to try and work on that.”
Jordan said the efforts of Jackson Merrett and Will Hams is holding them in good stead.
“The most pleasing thing is that it’s just not one game out of the blue for these guys, its good consistent form that they are getting rewarded for,” he said.
“They were two of a handful who played really good footy.”
Midfielder Jordan Schroder and defender Josh Freezer also impressed with their games, while Nash Holmes produced a memorable debut.
“With the guys coming in particularly on their first game we just ask them to play a role, Nashy did that with aplomb and cracked in with the conditions,” Jordan said.
The VFL players will be at the club for their usual review Monday night but then will have the week off to freshen up ahead against Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval on June 12.
“Here’s hoping we can get a few more back and have a reasonably healthy list to pick from, go in at full strength and really give that game a shake which will be really important to our season and where we end up,” Jordan said.