VFL Coach Matthew Egan dissects each player’s performance in the big win over Collingwood on Sunday.
Jonathon Simpkin: 32 disposals (22 kicks, 10 handballs), 10 marks, nine inside 50’s, three rebound 50’s, two goals.
“Joffa played mainly wing and half forward and transitioned from defence to attack really hard. He got some really good uncontested possessions that hurt them going inside 50.”
Ryan Crowley: 30 disposals (13 kicks, 17 handballs), three marks, three inside 50’s, one tackle, four goals.
“Excellent game, he was great with his stoppage craft and pushed hard forward to kick four goals.”
Jake Long: 25 disposals (15 kicks, 10 handballs), seven marks, five inside 50’s, three rebound 50’s, two tackles, one behind.
“Another consistent game for Longy, he worked really hard to get back and help the defenders and continued to take the game on with his run and carry which is great.”
Jackson Merrett: 24 disposals (10 kicks, 14 handballs), nine marks, one inside 50, one goal.
“His running patterns were excellent, he didn’t get rewarded on some of his really good runs. But he continued to work on his craft around the ball.”
Jason Ashby: 22 disposals (14 kicks, eight handballs), five marks, one tackle, two inside 50’s, two rebound 50’s.
“He was setting up really well behind the ball, taking a lot of intercepts and joining in attack well.”
Ben McNiece: 22 disposals (15 kicks, seven handballs), six marks, two tackles, one inside 50, three rebound 50’s.
“His best game of the season. He set up really well behind the ball and used the ball really well.”
James Ferry: 20 disposals (20 kicks), nine marks, one tackle, three inside 50’s, four rebound 50’s.
“He was really trying to help out on Cloke a lot. His intercepting was good and it was another solid game.”
Shaun McKernan: 19 disposals (13 kicks, six handballs), eight marks, two tackles, two inside 50’s, two goals, two behinds.
“Another four shots on goal, his marking has been outstanding in one on one situations."
James Polkinghorne: 18 disposals (eight kicks, 10 handballs), five marks, two tackles, three inside 50’s.
“Polky worked really hard both ways and is starting to find some really consistent form. He was aggressive around the ball.”
Daniel Coghlan: 17 disposals (11 kicks, six handballs), five marks, six tackles, two inside 50’s, two rebound 50’s, one goal, one behind.
“Really good game from Cogs, his spread and work rate around the ball was excellent and he could have kicked three goals.”
Shaun Edwards: 17 disposals (eight kicks, nine handballs), three marks, five tackles, two inside 50’s, two rebound 50’s, two behinds.
“Had a couple of chances to hit the scoreboard early and his five tackles was great. I love seeing him take the game on and run through the ball.”
Nick Kommer: 17 disposals (eight kicks, nine handballs), five marks, eight tackles, three inside 50’s, two behinds.
“His work rate and transition to get back forward was excellent having eight tackles in a really selfless role and giving four goal assists.”
Nathan Grima: 16 disposals (11 kicks, five handballs), three marks, one inside 50’s, two rebound 50’s.
“Limited Travis Cloke’s impact on the game with some really good one on one contests and he joined in attack much better this week with 17 possessions.”
Sam Michael: 16 disposals (nine kicks, seven handballs), four marks, one tackle, one inside 50, four rebound 50’s.
“Another really solid game, two weeks in a row. He’s taking a lot of mark intercepts and getting in the way of the opposition.”
Aaron Heppell: 16 disposals (11 kicks, four handballs), five marks, one tackle, four inside 50’s
“Another consistent game, you know what you’re going to get from him. He was strong defensively and used the ball well.”
Bruno Laguda: 14 disposals (six kicks, eight handballs), one mark, two tackles, two inside 50’s, one rebound 50.
“Good first game up, he looked comfortable down back.”
Jack Langford: 14 disposals (nine kicks, five handballs), six marks, two inside 50’s three goals.
“Had some good opportunity to dominate the game with some marking but still had six marks and three goals, probably could have kicked four. It was a good return.”
Mason Redman: 14 disposals (nine kicks, five handballs), seven marks, four tackles, five inside 50’s, one rebound 50’s, three goals, one behinds.
“His pressure on the ball and work rate was good and he played a variety of roles for us. Five shots on goal and three tackles inside 50 – he played his role.”
Tom Wallis: 12 disposals (three kicks, nine handballs), two tackles, two rebound 50’s.
“Still working back after his injury but worked his way into the game in the second half well.”
Will Hams: 11 disposals (four kicks, seven handballs), two marks, two tackles, one inside 50, one rebound 50, one goal, one behind.
“Hamsy started the game really well with his stoppage work and his spread from the contest was really good.”
Mark Jamar: 11 disposals (five kicks, six handballs), four marks, one tackle, one inside 50, 28 hitouts.
“Dominant in the ruck and gave our mids some really aggressive running patterns in the centre bounce in particular.”
Gach Nyuon: Nine disposals (six kicks, three handballs), four marks, one inside 50, one rebound 50, nine hitouts, one goal.
“Continues to improve in his ruckwork and spread around the ground. He got in some really good positions down the line and in defence for us. It was great to see him kick a goal.”
Yestin Eades: Eight disposals (six kicks, two handballs), two marks, one tackle, three inside 50’s, two goals.
“His intent to get on the outside of his opposition was good. Just needs to find some more opportunity with the ball.”
VFL Stats – Round 3
Essendon 20.13 (133) defeated Collingwood 7.6 (48)
Kicks: Essendon 237 – Collingwood 195
Handballs: Essendon 173 – Collingwood 110
Marks: Essendon 114 – Collingwood 85
Hitouts: Essendon 48 – Collingwood 25
Tackles: Essendon 45 – Collingwood 49
Inside 50’s: Essendon 59 – Collingwood 41
Rebound 50’s: Essendon 32 – Collingwood 38
