STATS STAR - ROUND 18
Sean Denham is one of the toughest nuts nuts in AFL football.
But the 30-year-old has been plagued by hamstring injuries this season Denham and has only managed three senior matches this season.
But the value of Denham to the senior side has never been questioned and he underlined how important he is to the Bombers against Sydney at the SCG last Saturday night.
Denham started in the middle for the Bombers and ignited his side in the first quarter with his hardness at the football. He was a major contributor in Essendon's six-goal opening quarter.
During the match Denham disposed of the ball on 34 occasions and his use of the football was largely effective.
While he disposed of the ball well it was his ability to win the football that was most impressive.
Denham racked up five hard ball gets, four loose ball gets and two gathers during the course of the match. He also cleared the ball on six occasions from centre bounces, throw ins and ball ups.
His number of clearances was only one behind the match-high of seven collected by Joe Misiti.
Ruckman Stephen Alessio still leads the club in hard ball gets after 18 round. Alessio has collected 59 to be 15 ahead of his nearenst rival Justin Blumfield who has collected 44 hard ball. Chris Heffernan (39), Dean Solomon (37) and Joe Misiti (36) are the next best.
STATS STAR ROUND 19
Joey Misiti has been outstanding for the Bombers this season and again he showed his worth against the West Coast eagles last Friday night.
Misiti collected a massive 33 possessions and was the key to Essendon's dominance around the middle of the ground after a lacklustre first quarter.
Having gone into the first break with 16-point deficit, Misiti decided to crank things up in the second quarter collecting 12 possessions. It ensured his side was within striking distance and playing the better football by the end of the first half.
Misiti gave his side plenty of drive from the middle, putting the ball into the offensive 50m on six occasions. He was also excellent around contested situations, clearing the ball a game-high seven times.
For more statistical information check out our comprehensive statistics pages for Round 18, Round 19 and totals for the season.
