Every season, there are players who take a step forward in their development and become the core group of players, performing each week as the club looks to improve.
Essendonfc.com.au takes a look at the Bomber bolters for 2014 as we cast an eye over the key improvers this season.
Cale Hooker
26 years old
100 career games
12 games: 11.6 kicks, 9.3 handballs, 20.9 disposals & 8.9 marks.
It’s been well-documented how great Hooker’s season has been to date. Named in both The Age and Herald Sun’s mid-season All Australian side, the 26-year-old key defender’s season really has been quite remarkable.
Aside from averaging almost 21 disposals a game for a key defender, it’s his marking that has been his key asset this season. Taking almost 9 marks a game, his ability to shut down his opponent and repel attacks has been outstanding.
David Myers
24 years old
73 career games
8 games: 11.1 kicks, 9.2 handballs, 20.4 disposals & 3.1 tackles
Myers has had his fair share of injury setbacks, and after a consistent season on the park last year, he has taken yet another step forward in 2014. Elevated into the Essendon leadership group, Myers has become an important cog in the Bomber halfback line and midfield group.
His leadership and decision making skills have been first class, and has improved his ferociousness and defensive side of his game this year, averaging over three tackles a game.
David Zaharakis
24 years old
99 career games
12 games: 15 kicks, 10.1 handballs, 25.1 disposals & 0.8 goals.
After a slow start to the season the half forward turned midfielder has really shown his hand in recent weeks and will become even more vital as the season continues while the team is without Jobe Watson.
Accumulating 65 disposals and six goals in the last two weeks alone demonstrates that Zaharakis has found some consistency in his game, that has otherwise been lacking early in his career.
Dyson Heppell
22 years old
74 career games
12 games: 14.2 kicks, 13.9 handballs, 28.1 disposals & 6.2 marks
The youngest of the bunch, and arguably the one with the highest ceiling- Heppell has grown into one of the league’s most damaging midfielders this season. Yet again improving on his 2013 season, he averages over 28 disposals a game this year.
Heppell has the rare ability of reading the play remarkably well and barely misses a target by both hand and foot. The 22-year-old’s leadership has grown through the early stages of 2014, and will no doubt continue to demonstrate his class through the absence of Watson.
Michael Hibberd
24 years old
56 career games
12 games: 15.8 kicks, 9.3 handballs, 25.1 disposals & 6.5 marks
Hibberd has dominated across halfback this season, again displaying his damaging left boot exiting the Bomber defence and into attack. Improving to over 25 disposals a game in 2014, he has become the go-to-man by foot, amassing almost 16 kicks a game.
Michael Hurley
24 years old
89 career games
10 games: 11.6 kicks, 7.5 handballs, 19.1 disposals & 6.6 marks.
The move down back has done wonders to Hurley’s game this season, slotting well into the club’s defensive six. Combining with Hooker, Hurley gathers over 19 disposals and well over six marks a game this season.
His relentless nature and want for the ball sees him well settled in the Bomber defence and looks set for many years to come.
