VFL Game Day VFL Round 7: Richmond v Essendon (44 point win; 103-59)

[BrunoV]

Alex Browne (19k, 10hb, 6 marks, 1t, 1 goal) super happy with my boy. The touch is coming back to match up with the class and confidence that never left. The run and dash was impressive today and taking the game on.

Was a good game. Sprayed the ball a bit. Think he probably needs to chill out a bit with his kicking which at the moment is feast or famine (nailed bullets and total misses). Really liked his aggression and strength around the ball early on in particular. He has to be getting close especially because he has that grunt factor.

I was on the bandwagon after round 1. Now I'm one of those hangers on who is trying to pretend he was there from the start.

 

[BrunoV]

Elliott Kavanagh (17k, 6hb, 6m, 6t, 1goal 2 behinds) one of the best games I've seen Kav play. Quiet in the middle parts when the Tigers got back into it but set us up at the start and end of the match. Loved his work in tight and that ability to spread that ant555 has been mentioning. Loved his pressure and ability to get forward today which was quite telling.

Was total class with ball in hand too. Quality user.

 

[Ambrosia]

Hams is a midfielder. Kav is a midfielder. Browne is a running defender.. Ablett is down the list of midfielders

At 180cm he's going to have to spend plenty of time forward.

 

[Zach Package]

At 180cm he's going to have to spend plenty of time forward.

We don't have to do the whole 'list the literal f***tonne of good midfielders under 180 cms' thing do we?

 

[Ambrosia]

We don't have to do the whole 'list the literal f***tonne of good midfielders under 180 cms' thing do we?

What? I have no doubt Hams has the ability to be a good player. I'm just sick of young midfielders getting called up to the 1s and spending 50% of their game time in an unfamiliar position because they've only been played in the midfield in the VFL.

 

[Yoda_]

What? I have no doubt Hams has the ability to be a good player. I'm just sick of young midfielders getting called up to the 1s and spending 50% of their game time in an unfamiliar position because they've only been played in the midfield in the VFL.

Join the que

 

[Doss]

Worth noting, we have a full blown curtain raiser against the Cats at Etihs Stadium next weekend. The VFL game is scheduled to begin at 3:45 with the main game to start at 7:20.

That should play havoc with those planning a tanked session beforehand.

Yeah, wish it was a 2:00 game

3:25 start.

Will watch a half then go to the pub.

 

[TheFrenchCut]

That tackle on the barrelling Tigers ruckmen was superb. Did. not. Flinch. Rode the bump and brought him to ground. Ended up with another shot on goal too

I noticed at the game that Kav was starting on the wing a lot. Do you think they're doing that so he can work on his outside game and bring some balance to his overall output? Agree that it was one his better performances. Still hoping it clicks for him.

 

[Kakkle]

Any idea why Dalgleish didn't come on until late in the 3rd qtr.

He didn't. He played in the fist half.

 

[grimlock]

 

[Doss]

Cheers for those, grimlock.

 

[Whispering_Jack]

Browne again, hey? 7 I50's? Get him into the senior side!

 

[Doss]

Here's the write up from the club website: http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2015-06-01/vfl-dons-tame-tigers

Essendon has won consecutive games for the first time this season, after a comprehensive victory against Richmond at the ME Centre on Saturday.

A first term that saw the Dons kick six goals to Richmond’s one was enough to set up an unassailable lead, as the side went on to defeat the Tigers by 44 points.

Coach Paul Corrigan was thrilled to see the Dons jump out of the blocks, admitting it was an area they had addressed previously.

“It’s been a bit of a focus for us to get off to a good start and we made sure today that their mindsets were right from the first bounce.

“I think the way they applied that with their pressure and the way the won the ball around the contest in that first quarter set the scene for the game really.”

Conor McKenna and Kyle Langford led the charge in a dominant opening period, kicking two goals apeice, while Elliott Kavanagh and Shaun Edwards slotted a first-quarter goal each.

Still, despite the ominous 29-point deficit at quarter time, Richmond were the better side of the second term, as they drew to within 16 points of the Bombers at the half.

But Essendon was able to kick five of the last seven goals after the main break, putting to bed any chance of a Richmond resurrection.

“Even when we had that lapse in the second quarter, we were able to get it back on our terms again– that was the most pleasing thing,” Corrigan said.

“Probably in previous matches we’ve had to wait until quarter time or halftime to address that and fix it up, but to be able to turn it around on field and show a lot of leadership out there to stay in the game, it was pleasing from the coaches box.”

Alex Browne won the Sir Doug Nicholls award for his best-on-ground 29-disposal performance, which included six marks and a goal.

“Alex played that wing role for us really well today, he gave us some really good width and gave us some good overlap run as well. It was good reward for him to get on the end of a goal by the end of it.”

While Kavanagh played his most consistent game for the year, as he picked up 23 possessions, including five clearances and a goal– Corrigan commended the youngster for his work-rate all over the ground.

“Elliott played through the middle for us today and I thought his game was outstanding in the way he was able to transition back and help out in defence.

“Then for him to push forward was great, he was able to get involved through overlap and win the ball as well.”

The VFL Bombers play at Etihad Stadium this Saturday afternoon against Geelong in a curtain raiser ahead of the AFL blockbuster that evening.

A win could see Essendon climb as high as fourth on the ladder.

“If we can bring our consistency into training and not fluctuate, we will be able to take that into games.

“I think we had a really good week on the track this past week, so hopefully it gives the boys a bit of confidence that they can approach next week and get into their skills, get into their craft and bring the same form as this week.”

Essendon 15.13 (103) defeated Richmond 8.11 (59)

Goals

Essendon: J. Langford 3, T. Pears 2, C. McKenna 2, M. Purcell 2, K. Langford 2, S. Edwards, A. Browne, K. Hardingham, E. Kavanagh

Richmond: T. Elton 2, B. Lennon, J. Cachia, N. Gordon, S. Lloyd, N. Mellington, M. McDonough

Best

Essendon: A. Browne, E. Kavanagh, J. Schroder, C. McKenna, O. Fantasia, S. Edwards

Richmond: M. Dea, T. Kruse, N. Gordon, N. Wynne, J. Short, T. Elton

Also, Corrigan's thoughts:

listen to this on Audioboo

No video on the Essendon site yet. There is, however, this from the Richmond site:

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/vfl/vfl-video

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

Alex Browne - In.

 

[Doss]

Moving this to the VFL sub-board now.