The Bendigo Bombers will welcome back Darcy Daniher from a back injury when they take on bottom of the table Collingwood at Princess Park this Sunday.
The team will also be boosted by the return of Tom Hislop and Courtenay Dempsey from injury while Andrew Lovett will also play after being given a two-week club imposed suspension from the seniors.
A win over the Northern Bullants before the split round restored some confidence among the young side and with a favourable run home, and being out of the top eight by only two games, the Bombers remain well in contention to play in September.
Coach, Adrian Hickmott, says that the next three weeks will decide whether the Bombers are good enough to make the finals and he believes it is great opportunity to concentrate on doing the basics well.
“To play some of these sides now is a good opportunity,” he said.
""We just have to make sure we stick to the basics because when we have done them well we have stayed with very good sides and had some good wins as well.
“The basics are about when we don’t have the ball we chase, tackle and put pressure on the opposition. While in possession it is about using the ball well, hitting targets and sticking to the structures that help to build continuity for the players.""
Hickmott also signalled the remaining six weeks as the perfect time for his players, both Bendigo and Essendon listed, to concentrate on improving in areas of their individual game.
“The next few weeks I won’t be pushing the younger guys to be improving by 20 per cent every time they play but I will want them to be bettering themselves. After a big pre-season and big year they need to be able to hold themselves at the level and not drop away.""
With Essendon having such a long injury list the pressure is on young Bendigo listed players to step up to senior VFL football and Hickmott says he has been pleased with the way guys have shown their ability to play at the level.
“The opportunities coming up are good for the Bendigo listed players, guys like Dale Young and Rex Taylor have all been able to hold their spot and are now starting to understand how competitive and quick the VFL is,” Hickmott said.
Hickmott has also been pleased to see the likes of Jarrod Atkinson and Ricky Dyson making the most of their opportunities with Essendon and says some others are getting closer.
“Rhys Magin is in good form, he had a bit of lull a few weeks back but if he continues to improve and perform well he will start to push for senior selection and when Darcy gets his body right I hope will again push for senior selection.""
Bendigo Bombers play Collingwood at Princess Park this Sunday at 2pm.
B | Flaherty | Bristow | Holmes |
HB | Dempsey | Hooker | Crameri |
C | Magin | Skipworth | Lovett |
HF | Williams | Chartres | Dick |
F | Hartigan | Weeks | Coghlan |
R | Bellchambers | Hislop | Anderson |
Int | Geary | D. Young | Daniher |
Davies | Stroobants | Bowe | |
Fahour | Hocking |
