The biggest positive of the pre-season thus far has been that the Windy Hill medical room has been relatively empty. As a result, the pressure is on to secure a place in the side for the season opener against Geelong. A number of players put their hand up in today's 40-point win over Melbourne.

After starting slowly, the Bombers looked much sharper in the second half and pulled away in the final quarter to win comfortably. Brent Stanton - playing in his first game of the pre-season - said it took the side a while to click into top gear.
“It was a bit of a slow start but at half time we got a bit of a rev-up. We started to work the ball a bit faster down the ground which is our style,” Stanton said.

“It is going to be fantastic against Geelong in Round 1. It will be a big test and if we play like we did in the second half for all four quarters, it should set us in good stead for the rest of the year.”

David Hille showed he is well on the way to getting back into top form, combining well with Jobe Watson around clearances. He looks a certain starter for the season opener.
Jason Laycock and Paddy Ryder combined with Hille in the ruck and the trio will provide coach Matthew Knights with plenty of options during the season.
New recruit Jake Melksham spent most of the match on the ground and showed plenty of promise while Courtenay Dempsey looked dangerous, popping up all over the oval in a best on ground performance.

“It was fantastic to see David Hille back out on the ground working well for us today,” Stanton said. ""He is going to be a very big impact player for us this year and it is pleasing to see he is well on track for Round 1.

“Jobe Watson and Courtenay Dempsey were also fantastic for us. I guess that was one of the pleasing things to take out of today was the amount of guys who were putting up their hands.”

Dustin Fletcher and Tayte Pears led a hardworking Essendon defence while Mark McVeigh’s solid pre-season looked to be paying dividends, proving a handy addition to the back pocket.

“It is a good combination and good defensive pressure that we have down there,” Stanton said. “The midfielders are starting to push back and support them so it is probably going to be a key for us this year.“

Ryder looked dangerous at the opposite end of the ground as the Bombers shared goals between them with 12 individual goal scorers for Essendon’s 18 goals.

“Ryder is fantastic. He jumps at the ball and he is going to be hard to stop on a lead or up in the air,” Stanton said. “It is good to see the guys sharing the goals between them and it is going to keep the opposition guessing this year if they continue to do so - it will end up being a good weapon for us.""

“The midfielders are starting to work their way into the goalkickers list now as well and that is what good sides have so hopefully we can continue it well into the season.""