Essendon VFL find themselves outside the top eight following a 19-point loss to Footscray on Sunday.
The Bombers trailed by as much as six goals throughout the match but hit back in the third term and cut the margin to seven points in the final quarter before the Bulldogs kicked away.
Here are some of the players who may be in contention for a call-up to the senior side this week.
Will Hams
35 disposals (14 kicks, 21 handballs), five marks, five tackles, two inside 50’s, four rebound 50’s.
When the going was tough early, Hams was one who was up for the fight and he kept that intensity throughout the day. His ability to halt the Dogs momentum around the stoppages and get the ball going our way was a key to the Bombers fighting their way back in to the match. Being a rookie, Hams will need to be elevated if he's to play in the senior side.
Shaun Edwards
30 disposals (20 kicks, 10 handballs), three goals, eight marks, six tackles, six inside 50’s.
Another solid outing from Edwards who is putting his name in the mix to play his first Dreamtime at the ‘G clash. After a couple of games with high numbers up around the wing, Edwards was able to sneak forward and have an impact on the scoreboard while keeping his run and carry through the middle of the ground.
Jackson Merrett
27 disposals (nine kicks, 18 handballs), one mark, three tackles, five inside 50’s.
Has been named emergency in the last couple of weeks and is desperately close. The 23 year-old's stint in the state league has produced 24, 21, 25, 30, 22 and now 27 disposals.
Jake Long
12 disposals (three kicks, nine handballs), one mark, four tackles, two inside 50’s and two rebound 50’s.
John Worsfold touched on the romantic prospect of a Long debut when asked in his post match press conference on Sunday. Long was rested last weekend against Coburg and while not having huge numbers this week, he was vital in the Bombers revival with his ability to break away from congestion with his speed.
Mark Jamar
17 disposals (eight kicks, nine handballs), one goal, seven marks, one tackle, two inside 50’s, three rebound 50’s, 45 hitouts.
The big fella played with aggression on Sunday in an enthralling battle with Footscray’s Will Minson. The Russian kicked one goal but could have had a couple more - his presence and leadership around the ground has been outstanding.
Best of VFL
Aaron Heppell
29 disposals (14 kicks, 15 handballs), two marks, four tackles, three inside 50’s, nine rebound 50’s.
Hep led the way from the defensive half on the weekend, chopped off countless Bulldog forward entries and started many of our attacking movements. He's developing into a great small to medium defender and his ability to beat his opposition or at least draw one on one contests is a real strength.
Jordan Schroder
24 disposals (eight kicks, 16 handballs), nine tackles, five inside 50’s, three rebound 50’s.
Took a week to find his feet in his first game back last week, but we all saw why he is a JJ Liston trophy winner on Sunday. Kicked two outstanding crumbing goals and found plenty of the footy all over the ground.
