Zach Merrett, like Michael Voss a era in the past, is even higher than Essendon coach Brad Scott thought.
The Bombers captain was clearly greatest afield on Saturday evening, main his workforce to a one-point win over Richmond – 10.11 (71) to 10.10 (70) – within the annual AFL Dreamtime At The ‘G conflict.
It broke their 13-game dropping streak towards the Tigers, relationship again to 2014, and snapped Essendon’s four-game dropping streak during the last month.
Merrett racked up 39 possessions and led beautifully within the final time period as Essendon fought again from three targets down.
Sam Durham marked and kicked the match winner with seven seconds left – the one time they led within the second half.
Scott paid Merrett excessive reward, evaluating him to Voss.
Scott had Voss as his captain for Brisbane’s 2001-03 premiership three-peat.
In his first season as Essendon coach, Scott has been equally impressed with Merrett.
“Usually, you get disappointed when you see them up close,” Scott mentioned.
“When I went up (to Brisbane) as a player and I saw him (Voss), I thought ‘wow, he’s better than I thought he was’.
“Merrett matches in that class. I knew he was an excellent participant, however he has facets of his recreation I wasn’t conscious of … he is a greater participant than I believed he was.
“Zach got his just reward tonight.”
Merrett’s efficiency was essential, on condition that Essendon misplaced fellow midfielder Dylan Shiel as a late withdrawal with a corked calf.
It was the most recent in a nasty run of accidents which have dogged the Bombers and Saturday evening’s win was massive for the membership.
Scott famous that together with rewarding effort, the win was additionally reward for his or her followers after enduring Essendon’s tumultuous decade within the wake of their medicine debacle.
“It’s only so long you can keep talking about effort and playing well … it becomes hard to keep pushing the message when you’re not getting that result,” Scott mentioned.
“I would never underestimate what Essendon fans have gone through over the last decade and that streak since 2014, that’s been hard for them.”
Scott alluded to Essendon’s heartbreaking Anzac Day loss final month, after they gave up a 28-point result in Collingwood.
“Even when Sam Durham kicked that goal, there were still seven seconds to go. Miracles can happen,” he mentioned.
“In the long term, it just helps us build belief. But our supporters, they should really enjoy this one, because they’ve been through some tough times.”
Durham’s match-winning heroics proceed his exceptional story.
He was taking part in within the VFL for Richmond two seasons in the past when Essendon picked him up by way of the mid-season draft.
“Yeah, we’re just going to trade all our picks and go to the mid-season draft,” Scott mentioned.
“People who say a Tasmanian team coming in, the talent pool isn’t deep enough, all that sort of stuff – there are plenty of good players around the country.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
