Essendon will conduct its first intra-club practice match of the season in Shepparton on Wednesday 3rd of February as part of the club’s Community Camp on February 3-4 2010.
Assistant coach Ashley Prescott said the playing group are looking forward to their first hit-out of the season and would be keen to impress selectors ahead of the club’s NAB Cup opener against West Coast at Subiaco.
“For the players, the intra-club signals the start of the season in some senses because it is a lead into the NAB Cup,” Prescott said.
“We have certainly got a lot of players that are fit and available for selection so that in itself creates a fair bit of pressure and that will show in the players being very determined to stake their claim to represent the club against West Coast in Subiaco.
“It is a pleasing position to be in but a demanding position to be in because there is a lot of pressure and a lot of guys are really putting their hand up through solid training form and that kicks up another level once games start.
“There are certainly going to be some challenges for the match committee moving forward and we are looking forward to it.”
Essendon community manager Russell James said he hoped the camp would help promote social cohesion within the Shepparton community as well as helping to develop the club’s community partnership with the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club.
“The Shepparton region is important to Essendon and our partnership with Rumbalara was established with this in mind. We look forward to working with the Shepparton community not just around the Community Camp but in the years to come,” James said.
