News

Dempsey worth the wait

Monday, 13 April 2009
for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Injuries have made the start of Courtenay Dempsey's AFL career a frustrating one but last night most Essendon fans would agree it was worth the wait. Taken with selection 19 in the 2006 draft - a selection secured in the trade for Ted Richards - Dempsey has struggled to get his body right.

The frustration was that Essendon fans had seen glimpses of what Dempsey was capable of and they wanted more. Last night they got exactly that in front of more than 70,000 people, on football's biggest stage and against the Bombers' arch-enemy.

What Essendon fans would have been most excited about was the fact Dempsey saved his best for last. The final quarter was pulsating, fans hung on every passage of player but Dempsey was cool and calm in the heat of battle.

His first three-quarters netted him just 10 possessions but he kicked two important goals - both superb finishes from 40m out, one on the run, one from a set shot. In the final quarter he more than doubled that tally - collecting 11 possessions to take his match total to 21.

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He was also a pivotal player in the final act of the game. With Carlton swarming towards goal, Paddy Ryder laid a critical tackle, the ball spilled free and Dempsey won it and under enormous pressure dished off a handball that saw Essendon clear the ball and repel the Blues final attack for the game.

Dempsey will have renewed confidence in his body and his ability to play the game at the highest level. Essendon fans have had their entree - now for the main course.

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Dempsey you are gonna be the future of the Essendon Football Club!! you legend!

- Jezza Chau (posted 12/04/2009 8:02:37 AM)

About time his body was coming up to scratch, huge potental, he will be awesome for us if Knighta can keep him out there !!

- Daniel Hegarty (posted 12/04/2009 8:09:53 AM)

Couldn't agree more with this article. It was definitely Dempseys night last night looking forward to seeing him in action this season. Fantastic to watch. Awesome win. Keep it up fellas

- Daylan Pearce (posted 12/04/2009 8:31:42 AM)

Well done Courtney !!!

- Matthew Holloway (posted 12/04/2009 9:03:19 AM)

Superb last quarter by Dempsey. Turned it up when the heat was on. Shut that blue bandwagon up for at least one week.

- Nathan Smith (posted 12/04/2009 9:24:55 AM)

well done courtenay dempsey

- Norman Cacciattolo (posted 12/04/2009 9:28:01 AM)

Great to see we kept the right Courtney. Brilliant stuff.

- Nicholas Morrey (posted 12/04/2009 9:41:43 AM)

Dempsey along with all the other youngsters played a great game, good times ahead! Go Dons

- Justin King (posted 12/04/2009 10:17:03 AM)

Where are you now, Ted Hopkins?

- Sofos Koumi (posted 12/04/2009 10:51:48 AM)

to good bombers, bring on azac day

- Paul Pascuzzi (posted 12/04/2009 11:05:47 AM)

Tremendous to see what this boy has to offer last night - cool under extreme pressure & brilliant on the burst. Hits his targets, creates, kicks goals - and takes on the opposition!

- Dennis Green (posted 12/04/2009 11:46:57 AM)

It's great to see him finally out there. Did very well. What a fantastic tackle by Ryder and great pick up by Dempsey. I nearly died when the ball was in Carlton's possession so close to goal with so little time left. WELL DONE BOMBERS!!!

- Samantha Kisielis (posted 12/04/2009 12:24:41 PM)

I've been telling my mates about Courtenay since I saw him play a reserves game in 2007. Such huge potential. Let's just pray his body holds up.

- James Duthie (posted 12/04/2009 12:34:24 PM)

Couldn't agree more. Have been waiting impatiently for Dempsey's return. He was always going to be a champion. Not only has he natural talent, but he has a king-sized brain as well. Makes space for himself and then delivers!

- Joan Hill (posted 12/04/2009 12:34:34 PM)

Have been waiting for him (along with others) to get their bodies right and if Courtneay And J. Winderlich can have injury - free seasons, the Dons will win a lot moer games!

- Austin Sheehan (posted 12/04/2009 2:25:39 PM)

well done bombers good win. well done matthew knights for leaving matty lloyd in his position. he was unstopable

- Cohlby Giblett (posted 12/04/2009 3:33:23 PM)

Match winning game Courtney Dempsey!, Great to see the promise in a young player come up to scratch, but as they say "the cream always rises to the top"

- Lindsay Hickman (posted 12/04/2009 6:06:50 PM)

I knew there was something special about Courtenay when I first saw him. As with most young players they need a couple of seasons to get their body & minds to the levels required to play AFL. Great choice by Adrian Dodoro & his department at Pick 19. We are watching the future of our great club. Go Bombers

- Kiera Bunton (posted 12/04/2009 7:19:28 PM)

Yeah well done to Courtenay, LLoydy& Matty Knights. maybe the blues could change their slogan to - ( We never saw it coming) !!!

- Brian Williams (posted 12/04/2009 8:23:32 PM)

You are an absolute star Courtney Dempsey!

- Andrew Cichello (posted 12/04/2009 9:25:59 PM)

Terrific, mature game Courtenay Dempsey!Very,very Gavin Wanganeen like.Brought back memories of a champion who should NEVER have left the EFC for a mob like Port!Good on you Courtenay!

- Mark Elze (posted 12/04/2009 10:55:32 PM)

Great game Courtney! Look out Bombers fans found another Micheal Long, Demsey your a Gun. Hopefully his body stands up now. Go Bombers!!

- Ben O'Neill (posted 13/04/2009 8:22:35 AM)

courtney i think some day you will have your name in the record books keep up the oustanding work GO THE BOMBERS!

- Jack Hadaway (posted 13/04/2009 3:47:19 PM)

In typical indigineous style Courtney seemed to have the ball on a string - how I love to watch that kind of football - good luck and stay fit.

- Jennifer Mackie (posted 13/04/2009 4:35:39 PM)

Well done Courtney, truly showed why you're in my supercoach team lol. Awsome start to the season, keep working hard and the rewards will keep coming, CARN DONS!!!

- Liam Doidge (posted 13/04/2009 5:40:36 PM)

Congratulations Kevin Sheedy on another masterstroke and understanding of the AFL Draft system. In the face of adversity from his own colleagues and salary cap restraints, he traded Richards for the pick that we got Dempsey with. Pure genius K Sheedy, pure genius!!!!!!

- Ashley Krongold (posted 13/04/2009 5:52:52 PM)

Please one game don't make him a champion. Let's see what he does throughout this season.

- KG (posted 13/04/2009 6:25:00 PM)

I agree with Mark Elze re: Wanganeen he'll be a star I told my Carlton mate our leg speed was going to catch a few teams off guard this year Dempsey and Sammy Lonagan for Ted Richards seems a far swap to me

- Simon Mayo (posted 13/04/2009 7:01:32 PM)

The greatest thing about Dempsey, aside from his obvious talent, is his absolute desire to win every contest. A fantastic model for the team

- Jon Moody (posted 13/04/2009 7:13:04 PM)

Ashley Krongold I agree with you. At leats Sheeds barracked for the mighty Bombers. Where as Knights did neither, not play for or barracked for Essendon. He is here for the money. Nothing else.

- KG (posted 13/04/2009 7:17:46 PM)

Well done sheeds for picking dempsey and well done knighter for coaching him. Well done Courtney for playing your guts out. We are all here for the money KG we wouldn't survive without it. Knighter is our present and future whether we like it or not so we might as well start appreciating what he brings to our club, which is a fair bit more than some of our so called supporters.

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 13/04/2009 8:03:43 PM)

That's it knockers, put a negative spin on a fantastic effort by the team and the coaching staff. What a moronic point to bring up, that Knights is only in it for the money because he didn't play or barrack for the Bombers. This covers just about every other coach as well, so I guess they're all duds then! Goodness me, I'm afraid our wonderful club is being undermined by cretins and backstabbers who reckon they know better than those within the ranks...

- Dennis Green (posted 14/04/2009 8:55:48 AM)

I been waiting for this day for a long time. I have always believed that this kid could play. Injuries have played a massive part in his time , while at the club. You deserve every bit of sucsess Courtney........ Good luck for the rest of the year . Your number 1 supporter Michael Sammut. Now Im waiting for Ricky dyson to do the same.......... Go Ricky

- Michael Sammut (posted 14/04/2009 10:29:15 AM)

Surely this KG person can somehow be banned from illustrating his stupidity everytime he gets near a computer! Matthew Knights reaction after the game had nothing to do with money, it was because he loves his players, whether they are black & red or even if they were yellow & black. Sheedy is a legend, but don't forget he too made the occasional draft error (Kepler Bradley ring a bell?). Great effort from 22 players.

- Brett Crabtree (posted 14/04/2009 12:48:45 PM)

GREAT WIN BOYS.100%AGREEMENT WITH DENNIS GREEN'S COMMENTS, SO SICK OF ALL THESE KNOCKERS THEY SOUND LIKE PIE SUPPORTERS

- Nicolaas Schrama (posted 14/04/2009 1:24:34 PM)

Brett C - I totally agree. Matthew Knights had the appropriate reaction!Infact the whole club had the same reaction. KG - this has nothing to do with money or teams.. its for the love of the game itself! He had the same passion when he was coaching bendigo..

- Chenae Christine Dempsey (posted 18/04/2009 8:37:38 AM)

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