Essendon VFL recorded its seventh loss of the season on Saturday night, going down to Casey by 16 points.
Although it was a disappointing result for the Bombers, a number of players had impressive individual performances and will be pushing for senior selection.
Here are the contenders after round 14 of the VFL…
Craig Bird
Bird was the major ball winner on the weekend, finishing with 28 disposals.
The midfielder laid nine tackles and took two marks
Bird played against St Kilda in the AFL the previous week, finishing with 18 disposals, four tackles and two marks.
After a promising performance in the VFL he will remain in contention for selection in the Dons game against the Bulldogs.
Kobe Mutch
Mutch produced a strong performance against the Demons. The 19 year old featured in the top players with 22 disposals, three marks and two tackles.
He is proving to be quick and tough through the backline, chasing down the opposition and creating turnovers.
Matt Dea
Dea was great in defence for Essendon collecting 17 disposals, nine tackles and two marks.
He is playing as a key defender and is continually putting his hand up for senior selection.
Dea has been named among the best in three of his past five VFL games.
The 25 year old has played five AFL games this year and averaged 14 disposals, five marks and four tackles.
Heath Hocking
Hocking was impressive against the Demons, collecting 25 disposals, three marks and one goal.
The midfielder put immense pressure on Casey, laying eight tackles and stopping multiple runs forward.
He has featured in the top players eight times this season
Ben Howlett
Howlett has averaged 24 disposals, eight tackles and three marks in the 2017 VFL season.
He continued his form in the midfield on Saturday night, collecting 19 disposals, nine tackles and two marks.
Patrick Ambrose
Ambrose returned after missing most of the AFL season with a quad injury.
The defender was strong in the Dons backline, collecting 16 disposals, laying five tackles and taking four marks.
Ambrose played out the entire game and does not look far off a call-up.
