Jordan Ridley’s excellent AFL return and Jake Stringer’s barnstorming milestone sport helped paper over Essendon midfield cracks of their win over Richmond.
The Bombers went into Saturday night time’s annual Dreamtime At The ‘G blockbuster as red-hot favourites, however have been pushed all the way in which by the resurgent Tigers earlier than successful by 12 factors.
For the second week in a row, the Bombers misplaced the clearances and coach Brad Scott admitted it compelled them to swing adjustments in the course of the match.
With a harmful journey to the Gold Coast after which a large sport in opposition to arch-rivals Carlton to come back, second-placed Essendon have work to do.
Other than captain Zach Merrett, who was excellent, and Sam Durham, Essendon’s midfield failed to fireplace in opposition to Richmond.
“The most pleasing thing about the last couple of weeks is our centre bounce work hasn’t been great, and so we’ve been on the back foot in that part of the game, but we were still able to resurrect it and get the game back on our terms,” Scott mentioned
“I keep talking about sustainable footy and having that sort of deficit is not sustainable.”
While Essendon struggled to interrupt even within the center, Ridley and Stringer have been excellent at both finish of the bottom.
Ridley was finest afield in his first AFL sport since spherical 19 final season.
The defender has been sidelined with leg issues and Scott held him again an additional couple of weeks to ensure Ridley’s physique was proper.
Scott mentioned he by no means would have forgiven himself if he’d introduced again Ridley too early and he was damage once more, in order that they erred on the facet of warning.
Other than an early turnover, Ridley appeared like he’d been taking part in all season.
“There are very few guys who can have a long layoff and just look like they haven’t missed a beat,” Scott mentioned.
“He’s one of those.”
Saturday night time was vital for Essendon’s defence as a result of it was the primary time Ridley and recruit Ben McKay had performed collectively, outdoors a pre-season sport.
Having McKay as their major key backman clearly frees up Ridley, who was a giant downside for the Tigers all night time.
In his two hundredth sport, Stringer gave Essendon a scorching begin with three first-quarter objectives and he completed with a game-high haul of 4.
Alongside him, final yr’s No.10 draft choose Nate Caddy made his senior debut.
While Caddy solely kicked two behinds, he confirmed some encouraging indicators.
“I just thought he looked like an AFL player,” Scott mentioned.
Nik Cox’s dangerous harm run continued when he grabbed at his left hamstring within the first quarter and needed to be subbed out of the sport.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
