Essendon's finals chances are in their own hands following Saturday’s 66-point win over North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium.
With the possibility of a couple of spots opening up at AFL level, here are some of the better performers who may come into contention for this Saturday’s clash against Carlton.
Shaun McKernan
11 disposals (nine kicks, two handballs), three goals, seven marks.
Horse has been super in the last couple of weeks and while his numbers weren’t as high as last week, his presence certainly was. He is leaping at everything and capping off his work with straight kicking. Got a heavy hit in the first term which required medical attention but shook off any concerns with an early goal in the second quarter.
Will Hams
21 disposals (nine kicks, 12 handballs), three marks.
Has had two games back in the VFL and may have done enough to come in and replace Mathew Stokes and possibly Adam Cooney if needed. Is a vital member of the midfield, winning the majority of his touches on Saturday in the heat of the contest.
Shaun Edwards
26 disposals (19 kicks, seven handballs), one goal, one behind, six marks.
Edwards was at his lively best on Saturday, finding plenty of the ball and creating many scoring opportunities with his ability to bust through the opposition press with his lightning pace. His run helped Boyse to one of his goals and got one for himself, starting a chain of play at half back to get the ball back at half forward and kick truly.
James Polkinghorne
22 disposals (11 kicks, 11 handballs), one goal, six marks.
Could just copy and paste this paragraph of Polky from week to week, such is his consistency in performance. Was in the midfield again, leading a relatively new look on-ball brigade. Capped off a super afternoon with a long range goal in the last quarter.
Best of VFL
Aaron Heppell
24 disposals (11 kicks, 13 handballs), one behind, seven marks.
Is relishing the move into the midfield over the past few weeks and was named the best player by the coaches following the game. Has proved his worth as a defender this season but is now showing what he is capable of further up the field. Missed an opportunity to kick a goal but once again produced one his trademark goal-saving spoils.
Alex Boyse
16 disposals (13 kicks, three handballs), four goals, nine marks.
The ‘X-Factor’ as he is affectionately known was just that on the weekend. Playing just his second game of VFL after an injury interrupted season, Boyse was lively up forward constantly presenting and giving as much in the air as on the ground. Finished with four goals after three last week and is more than putting his hand up to stay in the team.
Nash Holmes
25 disposals (15 kicks, 10 handballs), four behinds, four marks.
Any sign of a wet track and some wind and Holmes just seems to rise to another level of excitement. Was outstanding on the weekend from the wing and managed to find plenty of ball on the outside. Had his opportunities in front of goal as well, but just couldn’t finish off his hard work with four behinds.
Ben Dobson
23 disposals (13 kicks, 10 handballs), four marks.
Like Heppell is another that has been thrown into the midfield to great effect. With his bigger frame in the stoppages it allows his other mids the opportunity to get on the outside.
