A host of Essendon players will come into contention for senior selection this week after impressive performances in the Bendigo Bombers' 26-point win over Sandringham in the VFL on Sunday.
 
The Bombers led at every change in their sixth win of the season, defeating Sandringham 17.7 (109) to 11.17 (83) with coach Shannon Grant saying the overall contribution of all players was most satisfying.
 
""We played really good footy. The most pleasing aspect of it was just the contributors across the board and I think we're getting a really good mix of guys playing their roles. I was really proud of the way they went about it,"" Grant said.
 
Tayte Pears could be in line for a return to the senior side in coming weeks after playing almost three quarters against the Zebras and excelling in defence, with Grant saying Pears' two games in the VFL after his long-term foot injury had underlined the 21-year-old's professionalism.
 
""We took Tayte off late in the third quarter, but he's pretty close to playing I would have thought,"" Grant said.
 
""He's just really enjoying playing footy again. He's missed a lot of footy in the last 12 months but he will be right in the mix, whether it's this week or next, to be able to come back into the senior side and perform.""
 
Mark Williams, yet to play a game in the senior side this season, could be closer to a return to the AFL after moving up the ground and using his creativity and foot skills on the wing.
 
""Mark had it 17 or 18 times and he actually used it really well. He put his body on the line when it was his time to go, and I thought he really led by example with the younger group that we had on the weekend,"" Grant said.
 
""I was really pleased for him. It was good to see him get a bit of reward for the hard work he's been doing over the past few weeks.""
 
""Playing further up the ground encourages you and makes you work hard both ways. You've got to be able to attack and you've got to be able to defend, and he's really starting to get a better handle on that. He probably had his best game for the year on the weekend,"" he said.
 
Midfielders Kyle Reimers and Brent Prismall continued their excellent form for the Bombers against Sandringham, and Grant said ruckman Tom Bellchambers could also make a return to the senior side against North Melbourne having been omitted for Essendon's clash with Fremantle.
 
""Kyle's still learning a lot about the midfield and how to set up and where to play, but he's really embraced it and he's getting better with his work in there every week,"" Grant said.
 
""Pris was outstanding and his voice and direction out there on the ground was really good, and I thought Tom's ruck work was really good and he was great for us all day.""
 
Bendigo: 3.1, 9.2, 15.4, 17.7 (109)
Sandringham: 1.4, 3.6, 6.11, 11.17 (83)
 
GOALS:
Bendigo: M. Little 5, T. Dickson 4, J. Maddern 4, J. Neagle, A. Steinberg, T. Slattery, M. Williams.
Sandringham: W. Johnson 5, T. Walsh 2, S. Crocker 2, J. Koschitzke, R. Ferraro.
 
BEST:
Bendigo: B. Prismall, K. Reimers, T. Shinners, T. Bellchambers, M. Little, M. Williams.
Sanringham: A. McQualter, T. Lynch, R. Eddy, D. Polo, J. Magner, T. Walsh.