Maintaining their consistency will be crucial for the Bombers on Saturday at North Port Oval, according to co-coach Paul Corrigan.
A win will see the VFL Dons record their fifth consecutive victory, but it won’t be easy against a formidable Port Melbourne side.
“We’ve got to take the consistency and confidence out of the last month of footy,” said Corrigan.
Preliminary finalists last season, Port Melbourne has had a modest first half of 2015, yet they sit sixth on the ladder after winning three of their last five matches.
A significant factor in getting over the line will be containing the powerful Port Melbourne midfield, who have given key-forward Blake Pearson first-class supply this season enabling the spearhead to kick 17 goals.
However, Corrigan said the emphasis remained around the way they want to play, with the messages remaining consistent over the break.
“We’ve keep the same themes around training this week, and hopefully we can take it into the game on Saturday.”
Jonathan Giles’ form will be closely watched, with Tom Bellchambers out for at least the next eight weeks. The former Giant has played every VFL match this year, averaging 22 hit outs and four marks.
“Giles is one of the guys we can play through the midfield and push forward as well, and he’s quite handy up forward.
“So, hopefully we can get a strong back end of the season from Giles and he pushes for senior selection.”
Nick Kommer is set to gear up for his second game back after a successful return a fortnight ago. The crafty forward didn’t look to have lost his trademark ferociousness around the contest, setting up several teammates in attack.
“It was good to see him get through that one game, it was a long time since he last played. He came back and was that tenacious half forward that he is, applying pressure to the opposition,” said Corrigan.
Kommer will now look to gain fitness, form and confidence through the VFL over the coming weeks.
“We think he will get better and better as each game goes on and hopefully we can see him get through the next couple of weeks.”
On Saturday, you won’t miss a second of the action, as Essendon VFL Live Radio is back for the Bombers’ away clash. Get the best of both worlds as you listen to the VFL boys while the AFL side take on Hawthorn.
