The paradoxical thing about Essendon’s mounting injury toll is that despite dwindling player numbers at Bendigo, surprising positives continue to jump out from the youngest areas of the list. Not only did Jake Carlisle emerge from some excellent reserves form to have a very serviceable outing against Carlton on Saturday night in trying circumstances, but the effect was underlined even further by Bendigo’s triumph the following day.
In a very gutsy and determined 30 point victory, just five senior-listed players took the field, but this threadbare Essendon contingent played a crucial part in the win. In what is looming as an excellent sign, the entire crop of the 2010 draft have looked more than adequate at Bendigo this year.
This week, it was young defender Luke Davis’ turn to shine, as he played an outstanding defensive game that was not entirely dissimilar to the style of his backline coach, Sean Wellman. Davis combined some excellent defensive marking – displaying a propensity for one-grab clean marking - with good ball use and awareness of the team’s structure to play the best game of his fledgling career.
Fellow first-year players Michael Ross, Ariel Steinberg and Alex Browne - all enjoying excellent debut seasons - were prominent throughout stages of the game. Ross and Browne more-so early, with Steinberg having some important touches after half time. Tom Bellchambers put together another solid outing in the ruck, providing a competitive edge to the clearances. In doing so, he continues to put his hand up for a senior recall.
The rookie-listed duo of Tyson Slattery and Josh Jenkins also made impressive contributions at either end of the ground. Playing as a key forward in the absence of Scott Gumbleton, Jenkins was able to haul in some key marks when the side needed them most, and demonstrated an ability to compete at ground level that isn’t often found in young ruckmen.
He kicked five goals for the day and ensured a viable target was present to at least compete.
At the other end, Slattery waged an under-sized war against Geelong premiership forward Cameron Mooney. Never one to shirk a physical contest, Slattery emerged battered and bruised but undaunted by the big Cat. He managed to restrict the potential match-winner to four goals in a defense that badly lacked sheer size. It was a vital sacrificial game.
Combined with an outstanding game from Bendigo captain Ben Duscher - who dominated general play with a mix of desperation and skill - four goals from the increasingly classy Tory Dickson and a host of impressive outings from unheralded Bendigo kids like Sam Biggs, Josh Freezer, Sam Vale, Tom Campbell and Sam Dunnell, it provided the basis for a memorable team win.
A young, under-manned and largely untested Bendigo weathered the storm for three terms before pulling away in the last quarter to entrench themselves in the Top 8.
Bendigo has the bye this week, before resuming the final four rounds. The finals are very much on the radar for the club’s youthful brigade.
Jason Hannigan – Bendigo Bomber Fan-in-the-outer
