Bewick was a genius around goal for the Bombers during his time at the club and he wasn’t renowned for disposing of the ball by hand. “In all seriousness he is a very team-orientated kid who does the right thing. By the same token he does know where the goals are,” Bewick said.
Winderlich will line up for his first senior game when Essendon runs out against Richmond at the MCG this Saturday afternoon. It is a daunting experience for any young man but Bewick believes Winderlich has the poise to handle his first game.
“He is a sensational young kid and very level headed,” Bewick said. “He is very switched on to the game and understands its intricacies. He has excellent skills, very good pace, is strong over the ball and thinks his way around the ground. A very coachable player and I told all the clubs that spoke to me about him that he was a ready-made AFL player.”
“But having said that, he will improve. He needs to build up a bit and get used to the tempo of senior football. I know you are not supposed to have favorites as a coach and I didn’t treat him any differently but I really thought he had what it took to play AFL football.""
Winderlich will wear Bewick’s old number eight. “I did ask if he could wear my jumper and I am very proud that he will be doing that. I’m now hoping he can be a 10 or 12 year player for the club and that he can then hand the jumper over to my young fellow (Jett) – he should be just about ready by then.”
Bewick now works in Darwin at the Northern Territory Institute of Sport. He said he would dearly have loved to be in Melbourne to watch Winderlich make his debut. “I’m actually in Alice Springs until Friday night and I don’t think I’m going to be able to get a flight down. It is on Foxtel up this way so I will watch it on television.”
