Jayden Laverde impressed in Essendon VFL’s forward line, booting six goals in the Dons 81 point win over the Northern Blues.

The 21 year old missed the first half of the season with injury and Coach Mark Corrigan is pleased with the performances he has produced since returning in round 11.

Laverde has dominated in front of goals for the Bombers, kicking 9 majors in his past two games.

“I know how hard he worked on his rehab. He was super diligent and that’s just reward for him, in terms of the way he has come out and had a huge impact in the last three weeks,” Corrigan said.

“The challenge for him now is to get his body to a level that can play four quarters of AFL football.

“He is no doubt showing that he hasn’t missed a beat.”

Brent Stanton put his best foot forward, finishing with 36 disposals, 10 marks and five tackles. The defender also made the journey forward to kick two goals.

“We’ve been utilising Stanton – a little bit half back, through the wing and a little on ball,” Corrigan said.

“I thought today he showed his class and his leadership out there. He found plenty of it but also his work off the ball to set guys up was outstanding.

“He’s been building to a game like that. It’s great for him because he works super hard at his game and to come out there and have a day like that was a great reward for him.”

The Dons ability to play the match in their half for the majority of the game was a huge credit to the whole team, according to Corrigan.

“I thought our work around the contest was really good, to give us first use and then to set up behind the ball and keep the ball in our half in the first quarter especially was really positive," he said.

“In the second quarter we probably lacked efficiency going forward but still playing the right way.

“The last half showed that if we continue to play the way we want to play, the Essendon way, then the scoreboard takes care of itself."

Just like the senior side, the Dons missed some opportunities in front of goal in the first half, but the chances continued to flow in the second half.

“Sometimes that can be pressure, when you get your set shots sometime you can lack composure or you can be physically fatigued, and it also depends where you’re getting your shots,” he said.

“I thought we were generating really good opportunities, we just weren’t converting early on.”

Essendon: 16.15.111

Northern Blues: 4.6.30

Goals: Laverde 6, Langford 4, Stanton 2, Merrett, Leuenberger, Dea, O'Brien

Disposals: Stanton 36, Langford 26, Long 25, Francis 22