The Shepparton intra-club match left Essendon's coaching department excited about the season ahead with many solid pre-season performances.
 
Here Essendon assistant coach Alan Richardson gives his assessement of the 'grey' side which he coached with Ashley Prescott.
 
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Carlisle: We were pleased with him. We played him in defence where he hasn't played much footy so it was different for him. He took a few nice marks and had about 10 touches and used the ball pretty well.

Daniher: He had the big job of playing on David Hille and Tom Bellchambers when they went forward and he spoiled well and didn't get scored against heavily which is good. Given he has had interruptions during the pre-season we were glad he moved well and got through the game.

 

Davey: Played forward and in the midfield and was very impressive. He would have had 20-odd possessions and kicked a couple of goals and set up a couple. Worked in really well with his team-mates and is set for a good year.

 

Dempsey: He was the architect across half-back. He played well, won the ball and used it incredibly well. Dempsey looks set to go to another higher level this year, as he did last year, and was easily one of our best players.

 

Gumbleton: Played both deep and high as a forward and worked incredibly hard against Tayte Pears. He would of had about a dozen marks and used the ball well. He kicked two goals and set up a few others too so was very impressive.
 
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Lonergan: Played forward and in the midfield. Worked hard, won his fair share of the ball and had a good performance. He will be one of many vying for a position in the midfield for the NAB Cup.

 

Long: Played back and we were really impressed. He was very tight on his opponent but at the right time he assisted his team-mates and provided run out of defence. It was a really good hit-out for a first year player.

 

Lovett-Murray: Outstanding, really, in defence. He would have taken about seven marks off the opposition's kicks so read the play well and also used the ball really well on the way out. It's a pity he will miss the first few games through suspension. One of our best on the day.

 

McVeigh: Really impressive in the midfield. He has dropped quite a few kilos so he can cover more ground and that was really evident in the intra-club. We were very happy with how he got across the ground offensively and defensively. Set for a very big year.

 

Melksham: Played a number of roles, on-ball, wing and forward. Would of had 15-20 touches and I don't think he wasted one of them. He took the game on with his run and carry and we were really happy with his game.

 

Monfries: Played forward, mostly high but also in the goal square. He was very busy and was one of the better players on the ground. He kicked a couple of goals and set some up. Gus worked in really well with Mark Williams and looked very dangerous. He is fit and ready to go.  

 
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Prismall: Possibly best-on-ground I think. He has an incredible work-rate and is reaping the rewards of a massive pre-season and couldn't have been more impressive. Would of had 30 possessions and didn't seem to waste any.

 

Reimers: Was used forward, back and wing and ran hard and used the ball pretty well. He won his own ball in traffic on two or three occasions which was impressive. He is moving well and we were pleased with his game.

 

Ryder: There has been plenty said on where he will play this year and he had a crack forward and in the ruck in the intra-club and was super in both. It was just a trial game but he looked extremely dangerous wherever he was and things are right on track for him.

 

Stanton: Won a lot of ball through the midfield and was good. He worked really hard and it was a good hit-out for him ahead of the the NAB Cup.
 

Williams (Mark): Willo was good. It was interesting for all to see how he would work in considering he hasn't played with the boys and doesn't know their games intricately. I thought he was impressive considering he had Dustin Fletcher on him. He won his own ball, used it well and looked sharp.

 

Winderlich: With Prismall, he was probably best-on-ground. He was outstanding and has taken his fitness to another level after doing a full pre-season. He got to more ball and made himself an option more often and could defend better too. Excellent hit-out.

 
 

Bock: Played in the ruck and got a lot of minutes against some established ruckman like Hille and acquitted himself quite well without getting a lot of the ball. He found the footy around the ground a few times but obviously still needs to put on size. He is coming along well. 

 

Howlett: Pleased with him. We liked the way he ran hard predominantly in the midfield. He linked up well and used the ball well. Didn't play as many minutes as some but got about 15 touches. It would not surprise, if the opportunity arises, that he could play some senior footy this year.

 

Williams (John): Given he played his across half-back which is foreign to him he was good. A little scratchy early but was one of the better players on the ground in the second half. We were very pleased with him. He marked well and ran off and created reasonably well.