Essendon defender Patrick Ambrose has continued to impress, with teammate Dylan Shiel acknowledging his efforts in the Bombers’ win over Fremantle.
Ambrose has been one of the leading key defenders in the league this season but faced a new challenge at the weekend, playing on Nat Fyfe to limit his impact on the game.
Fyfe finished the game with 26 disposals, his lowest tally for the month.
Shiel praised Ambrose for his efforts and attitude towards the game.
“The way Patty goes about his footy and training, his mindset under pressure and in games is phenomenal,” Shiel said on RSN 927.
“Patty is a guy that would run through a brick wall for you, if you told him to. He is a never-give-in type of character.
“I think it was his first ever game playing midfield in football, let alone in an AFL game, on one of the best players in the competition.
“There are guys there that would shirk that opportunity and feel the pressure but he just loved it. Like I said, I couldn’t speak more highly of Patty and his attitude to footy.”
Ambrose stopped Dockers star Nat Fyfe in his tracks on Saturday night. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Essendon faces another challenge this Friday night, taking on fifth-placed Collingwood in a blockbuster at the MCG.
Shiel said the Bombers would use this week as a rehearsal for finals.
“It is simple: you prepare to win, like you do any other game. It’s a good opportunity for a team that hasn’t played many finals to treat this game as a rehearsal because there is every chance we could be lining up against the same club two weeks later,” Shiel said.
“There is a really good opportunity there for a couple of guys coming into the side, getting some games into their careers early on, on a big stage against the Pies.
“It will be an exciting opportunity on Friday night.”
Although sticking to his normal approach to the game, the midfielder took the opportunity to add one additional aspect to his preparation.
“My preparation started early in the week. Every time I see a magpie, I target it – it gets me in the right mindset,” he joked.
