Well... footy gods?
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Size and speed is the issue. He has football ability.Hird looks alright. Got footy smarts for impacting the contest, reading the play and directing traffic. Obviously lack of size and speed means he's pushing uphill to get to top level, but certainly will develop into a key VFL player at the very least.
A close game at the start; Essendon grabbed Collingwood by the neck and shook the life out of them in the 3rd quarter. This was a hard one to give votes too, Cutler was the clear best on, the others you would make a case for (throw a blanket over them) being in a different order as they all had quiet patches at stages. Essendon dominated possessions and made the most of their forward 50 entries – more cohesion and teamwork between the players this week.
5. Cutler: (27 disposals, 3 goals) Kicked a few goals in the 3rd quarter to help the Bombers pull ahead. It was really a game-winning patch. Got a lot of the ball and used it quite well. Got a bit more quiet in the 4th when the rain came and most tougher stuff was required. Backing up again nicely from last week (well actually improving on last week). Is really pressing his case for a recall (to being the sub though hopefully). Good response to improve on last week.
4. Cahill: (20 disposals) Getting involved a bit, and was quite good in the 2nd half. Non-sighted in the last quarter.
3. Ambrose. (12 disposals, 2 goals) Started quietly, got a few goals 1st and 4th quarter (I think). Playing forward and looks a lot less rusty than last week.
2. Waterman: (16 disposals, 2 goals) Finished with 2.4 on the scoreboard. Could have had more. Kept improving as the game went on.
1. Tynan: Wearing the helmet did a few nice things. Could argue Younan or Bryan here.
The others;
Johnson; (11 disposals) still playing in the middle. I’m not sure this is his go, as he doesn’t impact the game enough for a midfielder.
Brand: (7 disposals) still developing nicely. Was taking some of the kickout responsibilities and has a nice long kick when required. Did launch a nice torp.
Hird: (16 disp) still buzzing around. Is working on finding the ball more, and improved on last week. Finding more of the ball in the 2nd half but lacks size, even at VFL level.
Bryan: (13 disposals, 29 HO) started the game really well. Was probably best on in the 1st quarter, but went quiet after that. Was able to beat Cox in the ruck.
Eyre: (6 disposals, 0 goals) is improving, but needs to command the ball a bit more.
It wasOnly saw a little bit of Eyre. Seemed to rush what looked like a fairly standard set shot for it to slide across goal. Might have been raining by then.
Yeah, Johnson is an interesting one to see where he will finish. They seem to be persisting with him in the middle, so that is where they want to develop him.I disagree with Johnson. He was only average today but he is a player who will be building his tank after an injury lay off. Not saying he will make it but I saw a few things today he can work with. Will be interested to see how he is going towards the end of the season.
Not sure why we are playing Ambrose up forward but he put together a good game in the end. Still think lockdown defender makes much more sense at AFL level.
Either that or he is now a cyborg.Wait so he's alive?
VFL Bombers comfortable winners over Pies
Essendon records its first VFL victory of the season with a 35-point win over Collingwood.
The VFL Bombers celebrate their round two win over Collingwood. (Photo: Ben Johnstone)
Essendon VFL has bounced back from a tough round one loss to Brisbane with a 35-point win over Collingwood in its Anzac Day eve clash at Victoria Park.
The Bombers, who managed to outscore the home team in the first term, were able to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the game to eventually run away with a 12.13 (85) to 6.14 (50) win.
Essendon started strongly and dominated possession, with Josh Smithson striking from outside 50 for the Dons' first.
Ruckman Nick Bryan had an excellent start and was dominant in the ruck and up forward, setting up forward-50 entries for Essendon.
Co-captain Danny Younan was impressive from the get go, dominating the Dons' forward half to secure two early goals.
Defender Patrick Ambrosealso had a piece of the action in the first term, taking a mark inside the goal square and adding another major to the scoreboard.PLAYERCARDSTART29Patrick Ambrose
- Age
- 32
- Ht
- 191cm
- Wt
- 92kg
- Pos.
- Def
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 11.3
- 3star
- K
- 5.6
- 2star
- HB
- 5.6
- 4star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 3.2
- 5star
- MG
- 123.0
- 2star
No current season stats available
- D
- 11.6
- 3star
- K
- 6.4
- 3star
- HB
- 5.2
- 4star
- M
- 4.2
- 4star
- T
- 4.4
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Essendon had strength in numbers and was able to cover the ground well. Its pressure and intensity made it challenging for Collingwood’s forwards, which inevitably saw the Dons outscore the home team four goals to one at the end of the first term.
Tom Hird in action against Collingwood. (Photo: Ben Johnstone)
The Bombers' momentum diminished in the second quarter as Collingwood stepped up its pressure and defence, which meant the Dons were unable to secure a goal.
Although they struggled to get the ball down to their forward line, Essendon’s defenders were impressive in their ability to combat Collingwood’s consistent inside 50s. Ned Cahillwas able tocontinue his impressive form throughout the quarter, making a big impact in midfield and defence.PLAYERCARDSTART28Ned Cahill
- Age
- 23
- Ht
- 178cm
- Wt
- 77kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 7.0
- 2star
- K
- 2.0
- 1star
- HB
- 5.0
- 4star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
- G
- 0.0
- 1star
- D
- 7.0
- 1star
- K
- 2.0
- 1star
- HB
- 5.0
- 3star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.0
- 3star
- G
- 0.0
- 1star
- D
- 7.0
- 2star
- K
- 2.0
- 1star
- HB
- 5.0
- 4star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
- G
- 0.0
- 1star
PLAYERCARDEND
Collingwood was too strong in the second term, however, cutting the margin to just five points at the main break.
The start of the third quarter saw Essendon regain its momentum and pressure it had shown in the first quarter, with Bryan continuing to dominate the centre bounces and in midfield.
Tom Cutlerwas prolific early on, scoring two sensational goals in a row from deep outside the forward 50 which put Essendon in a 17-point lead.PLAYERCARDSTART12Tom Cutler
- Age
- 29
- Ht
- 192cm
- Wt
- 89kg
- Pos.
- D/M
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 18.1
- 4star
- K
- 11.7
- 4star
- HB
- 6.4
- 4star
- M
- 4.7
- 4star
- T
- 1.7
- 4star
- MG
- 317.5
- 4star
- D
- 15.5
- 4star
- K
- 9.5
- 4star
- HB
- 6.0
- 3star
- M
- 4.5
- 4star
- T
- 1.5
- 2star
- MG
- 317.5
- 4star
- D
- 12.0
- 3star
- K
- 8.4
- 4star
- HB
- 3.6
- 3star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 1.0
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
Cutler was able to follow this up later in the quarter, orchestrating a turnover near the Dons' goal square and running into an open goal to nab his third goal of the day.
As heavy rain set in and changed playing conditions, Essendon had already established a comfortable 29-point lead and had set itself up going into the last term.
Essendon’s movement inside 50 continued to be strong in the final quarter, with Alec Watermanand Ambrose scoring their second goals of the game which saw the Bombers end the day with a 35-point win.
VFL assistant coach and senior development coach Cam Roberts was happy with the forward leads the Bombers were able to generate in the first quarter, but said that lapsed in the second term which allowed Collingwood to bounce back.
“We sort of gave [Collingwood] a chance. At half-time we sort of addressed that particularly as a midfield group,” Roberts said.
“That second quarter we had a bit of a lapse, particularly when the rain came in. We just tried to get the footy forward and really focus on that contest and the boys did that really well actually. It was really good to see us do that.”
Overall Roberts was impressed with the Bombers' performance and what they were able to bring to the game.
“Our pressure around the footy all day was really good which was a focus area for us. Our ability to make [Collingwood] turn the footy over and us capitalise on that was really good.”
The Bombers will kick off round three against Carlton next Sunday from 12:05pm at Windy Hill.
COLLINGWOOD 1.4 3.8 5.12 6.14 (50)
ESSENDON 4.4 4.7 10.11 12.13 (85)
Goals: Cutler 3, Younan 3, Ambrose 2, Smithson 2, Waterman 2
Disposals: Cutler 27, Baker 21, Cahill 21, Tynan 21, Atley 17, Dunkley 17, Harrold 17, Waterman 17
No current season stats available