The 33-possession, seven goal performance of Bomber recruit, David Zaharakis, in Sunday's practice match between Bendigo and Geelong has coach Adrian Hickmott predicting an Essendon debut in the near future.
Hickmott says the emerging midfielder impressed coaching staff with his work rate and gutsy performance against a VFL team almost entirely made up of Geelong listed players.
“David was one of the stand outs on the weekend, he continually pushed back hard, ran through the lines and created space out there,” Hickmott said.
“It was good to see his work rate at its peak, he went the extra mile to help his team-mates out when it counted. He played the majority of the game in the mid-field, but also pushed deep in the forward line and got some goals.
“He has done everything we’ve asked of him and if he keeps this form up he will apply pressure to the coaches for a spot in the senior team.”
The 19-year-old - who was selected in the 2008 National Draft with pick No.23 - had a big impact on the game despite the Bomber’s 48-point loss.
Hickmott also acknowledged the promise of other emerging young Bombers and said he thought many of them were starting to grow in confidence.
“Michael Still was certainly an improved player taking 10 marks for the game, Bryce Carroll showed newly found poise and Irish recruit Michael Quinn's skills looked sharp under pressure,” he said.
“Darcy Daniher was another who impressed. He played on Tom Hawkins, who kicked a few goals but Darcy looked to have the better of him on the day. As development coach, Darcy would defiantly be a name that I would be putting up for senior selection.”
The Bendigo Bombers take on the Sandringham Zebras in a practice atch this Saturday at 4.15pm at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.
