Essendon’s three-point win over the Kangaroos last night has provided some relief for the Bombers following a month of mounting scrutiny.

Speedy midfielder Travis Colyer told media this morning that while the last month of football had been tough for the group, it only made for a sweeter victory.

“It was obviously good to get the win but I think what was most pleasing was the hard work that we put in as a group,” Colyer said.

“We have stayed united as a group and we have had the support of the whole playing list and the coaches and I think more than anything just to know that what we are doing has come together is something that we can be proud of.”
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Colyer says the playing group is more united than ever having endured criticism over the past month and says the win further establishes that bond.

“I think we won the game last night for our football club and everyone who is part of our football club,” Colyer said.

“There has been a lot of speculation around the coach but we are around him as a playing group and behind him as a football club.

“To get a little bit of pressure off us is something that we can take as a positive but we have a long way to go.”
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Colyer said a strong showing by a number of contributors allowed the Bombers the confidence they needed, highlighting strong individual performances by captain Jobe Watson and first-gamer Kyle Hardingham.

“It was an inspirational performance by Jobe and to have guys like him and Jason Winderlich playing well through the midfield definitely makes it easier for us younger guys coming through,” Colyer said.

“I think something that we have lacked recently is having the whole group playing four quarters of football and that is what we did last night in order to get the win.

“Kyle Hardingham was great in his first game. I think what helped him was getting that first kick away and then he just went from there and played on instinct which is how he plays.”
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Essendon football boss Paul Hamilton says despite last night’s pleasing win, the Bombers have to continue to showcase their quality over the remainder of the season - particularly with three Friday night games against top quality sides.

 “It’s been a tough three weeks, a hard three weeks and the players have felt the pain, the coaches have felt the pain, the whole club has felt the pain and last night was about getting a little bit of respect back and that is the first step,” Hamilton said.

“We have to continue on in the same vein because we have a young, developing group and it is important that they go forward and are strong and show the spirit they showed last night.

 “We come up against Carlton, Collingwood and St Kilda who are great sides and three sides who we have been very competitive against in recent years.

“We love playing against these sides and we look forward to the upcoming weeks of football.”
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