Senior coach Dan Jordan summarises the performances of the 15 AFL-listed Bombers who played a part in Saturday’s 10-point win over Box Hill at Windy Hill.

Marty Gleeson

Stats: 21 disposals, nine marks, four inside 50s

From the coach: I thought Marty’s game was really good. He’s building into some nice, consistent form. He defended really well – once again our back six as a collective were really good, and he was a good initiator in that. Marty took nine marks, positioned himself in some good areas and got a fair bit of the ball on the way out as well. Pleasingly it was another solid game from him – he’s in some good form.

Jordan Ridley

Stats: 19 disposals, eight marks, four tackles

From the coach: ‘Rids’ played a mixture of inside and outside wing roles. His positioning at times was pretty good – I liked his aggressiveness (towards) the game, and provided some run and carry. He probably needs to work on being quicker with his decisions, but he’s getting exposed to new roles at the moment and his versatility is something that’s quite attractive. We’ll keep exposing him to those sorts of roles – we know he can play really well back but he’s getting some experience through the wing and midfield now as well.

Irving Mosquito

Stats: 10 disposals, four tackles, four inside 50s, one goal

From the coach: ‘Mozzie’ had the last game off, so he’s had a couple of weeks off with the bye. He came back in and probably wasn’t as clean as he would like, but he was still damaging and exciting around the contest. He only had the 10 possessions and could have kicked a couple of goals, so we’d like to see him get that up to 15-20 possessions and be even more damaging when hitting the scoreboard. He continues to be aggressive at the game and then also puts defensive pressure on which is what we ask of him – four tackles is a good effort in the forward half.

Irving Mosquito impressed with his defensive work on Saturday. (Image: Ben Johnstone)

David Myers

Stats: 30 disposals, five tackles, nine inside 50s, one goal

From the coach: Probably our best on-baller again – ‘Myersy’ has been really consistent since he came back to VFL level. Another 30 possessions, he hit the scoreboard with a nice goal, and had five tackles, but really his leadership and direction around the stoppages and being able to set the boys up is something we’re noticing is really helping those young midfielders develop. It was another really consistent game from David.

Jordan Houlahan

Stats: Seven disposals, three marks, two goals

From the coach: Jordan probably didn’t have quite the impact he would have liked in terms of possession output. He was hampered a little bit with injury in the last quarter where he tweaked a little adductor, but to his credit went back on and kicked a really important goal for us late and took a mark in the square. He only had the seven possessions but kicked two goals – we’ve spoken previously about Jordan not being a high-possession winner, but being able to impact the scoreboard if he takes his opportunities. He probably did that, and that clutch goal late could have been the difference in the game.

Mitch Brown

Stats: Seven disposals, two goals

From the coach: ‘Browny’ only played the first half, given the short turnaround for the AFL game this week. I thought he competed well down the line and had a lot of one-on-one opportunities where he brought the ball to ground. He kicked two goals for his half, took a couple of contested marks and covered the ground really well. It’s hard to judge him given that he only played a half but he certainly impacted the game in that time – he’ll be right in line for AFL selection this week.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

Stats: 12 disposals, four marks, four tackles

From the coach: Brandon had the role on (Jarryd) Roughead on the weekend. We gave him that role because we thought he’s been really aggressive and assertive as part of his defending. To have that job on a key forward, I thought he played really, really well – he still had an impact when he needed to and came off his man but was probably more defensive-minded playing on a quality player with (close to) 300 AFL games experience. To keep Roughead goalless is a good feather in Brandon’s cap and shows that he can play a multitude of roles in the defensive half, which is good.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher kept Hawks star Jarryd Roughead goalless at Windy Hill. (Image: Ben Johnstone)

Noah Gown

Stats: Seven disposals, five marks, three inside 50s

From the coach: This was Noah’s first game back in sort of four or five weeks off. I thought he looked a little bit rusty, but certainly not through lack of effort or intensity. He was trying to compete and trying to bring the ball to ground. He was outmarked a couple of times from Box Hill’s defenders who were good in the air – he was disappointed in himself for a couple of those but he’ll keep working hard at that and get himself back to the level where he was probably before he got injured and was starting to put together some really nice VFL footy as a key forward. It will be a good platform for him.

Brayden Ham

Stats: 12 disposals, four marks

From the coach: Another consistent game from ‘Hammy’ playing through the wing and forward roles. When he did get the ball, he gave us a lot of attack in taking the ball forward and competed hard. Those fat side players are sometimes tricky roles to play, but he seems to be grasping it pretty well in terms of his patterns. He didn’t have a high impact in terms of his possessions but when he gets it he seems to make really good decisions, was composed and used it well. We’d love to see him get that input up to around the 20 mark where he can have a really good influence on the game.

Jake Long

Stats: 17 disposals, seven marks, three inside 50s

From the coach: ‘Longy’ played in defence. He was part of our back six who I thought were terrific. He found himself free a little bit with 17 possessions, and his effort and intensity seemed to be there. He also seems to be providing more direction and looks really comfortable within that back six at the moment. He’s been consistent without being brilliant, and just needs to keep chipping away at it and keep being in good form – hopefully when opportunities arise he can take them.

Michael Hartley

Stats: 20 disposals, 11 marks, four tackles, 10 rebounds 50s

From the coach: ‘Harts’ played as our key defensive post but also played a bit of ruck-time given we were short. I thought he competed pretty well – 11 marks and 20 possessions is a really good return from a key defender. He’s having some good influence on games and is putting together some real consistency at VFL level in that key defensive post which is pleasing. It’s also pleasing for our AFL depth, but also for VFL that he’s taking on a key forward every week and getting the job done on them. We hope he continues in that fashion, and keeps being aggressive at the contest.

Michael Hartley (right) is in a purple patch of form in defence. (Image: Ben Johnstone)

Trent Mynott

Stats: 16 disposals, three tackles

From the coach: Trent’s still finding his feet back after a little injury (layoff). In terms of being around the ball, he probably needs to keep working a bit on his transitions in between contests which will come back to him once he plays a little bit more footy. 16 possessions from a midfield/forward (is okay) but would probably like to see that back up to where he was a month ago in some really consistent form in the high 20’s and hitting the scoreboard. He can use this game as a stepping stone to some better form, which I’m sure with no doubt he will.

Ben McNiece

Stats: 12 disposals, eight marks, three tackles

From the coach: ‘Benny’ was just solid as a small defender – he set up really well structurally and is very communicative with the rest of the boys in assuring we get the right set ups behind the ball. He’s a really aggressive presser and reads the ball really well. When it was coming out of the opposition’s defensive half, he stopped a lot of their chains coming through. It was a solid game – 12 possessions is whereabouts ‘Benny’ sits generally when he has a quieter day with the ball, but I thought his defensive stuff was terrific.

Matt Dea

Stats: 22 disposals, 11 marks, two rebound 50s

From the coach: ‘Matty’ is in some really good form at the moment. He’s another one in that defensive post sort of role who seems to be reading the ball really well. He looks confident when the ball is in air and backs his decisions to be able to come off (his man) and impact. There’s a bit of emphasis on that with Box Hill playing (Mitchell) Lewis and (Jarryd) Roughead who are both good forwards in the air, so for ‘Matty’ to have 22 disposals and 11 marks is terrific. We’re hoping he continues this form.

Will Snelling

Stats: 22 disposals, five marks, seven tackles, three inside 50s, one goal

From the coach: I thought Will’s game was good – he seems to be growing a little bit every week as he’s starting to get used to his teammates and our structures. Playing a bit of mid/forward (time), he was really clean around the contest, looks to have good vision and makes smart footy decisions. He hit the scoreboard with a goal which was terrific to seem him do that. We want guys to be able to impact the scoreboard when they go forward and put on a fair bit of pressure – Will laid seven tackles which we know he is renowned for so it was a pleasing game and a step forward for him. We want to continue to see him develop within our system and hopefully play some AFL footy in the back half of the year.

Will Snelling continued to impress at his new club with another strong effort on Saturday. (Image: Ben Johnstone)

Brooke Varney is in the final year of her Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree at RMIT University. As part of their strategic partnership, Essendon Football Club and RMIT University are committed to providing opportunities for students, staff, players and the wider community.