Bendigo recovered from a poor second quarter to come away with the win, with coach Shannon Grant saying the side, which included seven AFL-listed players, had shown encouraging signs.
“I think all of them definitely improved on last week’s performance. It’s only the second time they’ve played this year, so it takes them a while to get into the groove, but they’re all coming along well,” Grant said.
Having missed the first half against Coburg after being a late replacement for Ricky Dyson in the NAB Cup semi-final against St Kilda, rookie ruckman Josh Jenkins impressed in the second half, with the agile ex-basketballer dominating around the ground.
“He only played the second half after having a run the night before, but his follow-up efforts and his work across the field is so good that he basically gives you another midfielder at ground level because he moves so well,” he said.
Grant said Jay Neagle, also on the rookie list, spent time on young Richmond forwards Andrew Browne and Jayden Post and handled himself well.
“It was a big improvement on last week’s game for him, he competed well and really used his AFL experience to help organise and set up the defence, so it was a good hit-out for him,” Grant said.
The form of NSW scholarship rookie James Webster was particularly promising for Grant, as was international rookie David Meli, who kicked three goals in the win.
“James was good. He played mainly on a wing, but also spent some time on the ball. He covers the ground well, and uses the ball nicely, so for a kid who has just turned 19, he’s certainly doing very well,” Grant said.
“David’s another who, with more games under his belt, will be better for it. He kicked a couple of goals early playing closer to goal, and he reads the ball really well at ground level,” he said.
Of other Essendon-listed players in the match, Michael Quinn was forced off the field early with a cut to his head but returned halfway through the second term, while Taite Silverlock stepped up his game time after playing only 50 minutes last week. Disciplined defender Luke Davis also performed strongly.
Bendigo will meet Geelong’s VFL side at 1pm on Saturday at Skilled Stadium for its third practice match of its pre-season campaign.
