The VFL Bombers have continued their yo-yo start to the season, moving to 2-2, following a 27-point victory against Coburg this afternoon.
It was an important match for the Dons to get back on the winner’s list, after a disappointing third-quarter fadeout against Casey seven days earlier.
Coach Paul Corrigan commended the way the team emulated their round-two form against Collingwood that led to their first win of the season.
“It was really pleasing, particularly when you look at the Collingwood game and how we played that match in playing a real team effort and everyone doing their roles– everyone did that again today.”
The conditions at Piranha Park were unpleasant, as players battled against heavy winds and fought through slippery surfaces all day long.
Corrigan suggesting the conditions actually assisted the in Dons registering a win.
“We just played it simple. The conditions probably helped with it being a little bit wet early on and windy throughout the day.
“We just had to play the basics right and well, and I thought we did that for a whole four quarters.”
Midfielder Nick O’Brien was commanding throughout the middle, as he continued his sparking early season form.
“He’s a real leader, Nick,” Corrigan said.
“He really stands up week-in-week-out and he just provides that consistent effort with the role that he plays as the inside mid.
“Again he was fantastic, even though he had a guy running with him today, he just keeps powering along and finding the footy, which is great.”
Excitement-machine Shaun Edwards played his best game for the season, Corrigan particularly pleased with the way he carried out his role for the side.
“Shaun has been a little up and down, but I thought today he really played his role well as a high forward. He even had spurts where he went up to the wing, and to an inside midfielder also and did really well.
“He had a couple of key focus areas at the start of the game that we identified and he carried them out throughout the match really well and kept his focus for the four quarters.”
Ruckman Shaun McKernan and midfielder Jason Ashby were pulled from the match during the third quarter, both seemingly uninjured. Corrigan revealing the two were rested as potential inclusions for Essendon’s Friday night clash against North Melbourne.
“It’s always a tricky one, obviously with the AFL guys coming back from Perth, and then they’ve got a six day break leading into North Melbourne on Friday night.
“There was obviously a call there that we had to make and rest up a couple of guys halfway through that third quarter, but that’s the nature with this business and with the VFL that’s going the be the call at times.
“The boys dealt with it really well, and we didn’t make it a huge focus.”
The Bombers head back home to Windy Hill next week to face last year’s Grand Finalist Box Hill, which shapes as a telling contest. Both sides with two wins and two losses apiece after four rounds.
“They’re always tough Box Hill,” Corrigan said.
“They bring a good game style and are pretty similar to what the Hawks do in the AFL, so hopefully we can bring that really solid defensive effort and be good around the stoppages and take it right up to them.”
Essendon 10.14 (74) defeated Coburg 6.12 (48)
Goal Kickers
Essendon: M. Purcell 2, K. Hardingham 2, C. Mckenna, E. Kavanagh, S Edwards, N. O’Brien, M. Marigliani, J. Giles
Coburg: J. Cauchi 2, L. Featherstone, L. Brandt, D. Younan, N. Thomas
Best
Essendon: K. Aylett, S. McKernan, N. O’Brien, S. Edwards, J. Ashby, J. Polkinghorne
Coburg: C. Morton, R. Lehmann, J. Cauchi, T. Goodwin, L. Hunt, D. Venditti
