Adam McPhee is sure to inspire a young Bendigo team when he returns to the VFL this weekend to play Werribee in the Bendigo Bombers' third practice match of the season.

 

Having suffered hamstring soreness late in the pre-season, McPhee requires an extra match to ensure he is 100 percent for Round 1 of the season proper. According to Bendigo Coach, Adrian Hickmott, McPhee has been training impressively.

 

“Adam has been training superbly since coming back from injury,” Hickmott said.
 
“I have been doing extra skills with him and his touch is great and his work ethic is absolutely fantastic.

 

“It is going to really lift the young guys. I picture myself as a young 18-year old kid and imagine what it would be like to have Adam McPhee come down and play, even though it might only be one game through injury.
 
""You can put yourself in their shoes and think how excited they will be to have the opportunity to play with him and use him to help set up play.”

 

Hickmott will tonight inform his players of the news that McPhee - along with fellow Essendon-listed players Jay Neagle, Tom Bellchambers and Andrew Lee - will be lining up alongside them this weekend. He hopes their experience will bring the best out of the young side.

 

“The boys are looking well at the moment but having Essendon-listed players coming back into our side is really going to help them,"" Hickmott said.

 

“Their skills have let them down a little bit under pressure so, hopefully with work on the track and more games under their belts, they will start to improve.

 

“I hope that the four guys coming in on Saturday are really going to help the younger guys to understand the game structure and game plan a bit more.”

 

Playing a crucial role in the development of Essendon’s younger players this season, Hickmott is determined to see them make the most of their opportunities.

 

He has been impressed by the early pre-season form shown by the less experienced players on Essendon’s list and is hoping to create strong selection pressure with the younger players pushing for a place on the senior team each week.

 

“Any player that is on the list at Essendon is wanting to play senior footy,” Hickmott said.
 
“If we can have the young kids confident and hitting skills and hitting targets and their work rate is right up there amongst the best then it is going to put great pressure on the senior guys at Essendon and that is what you call healthy football.""
 
Essendon v Werribee
Saturday 15th March
Bartercard Oval Werribee
Time: 1pm - Seniors, 10.10am - Reserves