The Bendigo Bombers were soundly beaten by North Ballarat this afternoon but the big news for Essendon fans came in the form of first-year Bomber Brent Prismall. The former Geelong player played his first game since recovering from a serious knee injury and got though half a game collecting 12 possessions and moving well.
There was further good news depsite the result with early draft selection Michael Hurley getting through half a game following his early-season quad injury. Scott Lucas also showed he is anything but a spent force, kicking three goals in the first 20 minutes of the game and finishing with four as the Bombers only shining light up forward.
Essendon assistant coach Gary O'Donnell made the journey to Stawell and was pleased with Prismall's first official hit out in the red and black colours.
""He only played about 45 minutes but he looked to be reading the ball well and he got about a dozen touches. It was all you could ask of him at this stage and I know he will be pleased to be back out there. It has been a hard slog for him - it is great that he can now get back out there and do what he does best,"" O'Donnell said.
""Hurley didn't have a huge influence on the game and again he didn't play the full four quarters but he was also was about getting through some match time, getting the touch back and ensuring he recovers and pulls up well.
""Scott (Lucas) showed he was getting back to some form. He started really well and had kicked three goals very early in the game. His opportunities were limited from that point on but there were signs there and hopefully he was feeling more confident as the game went on.""
North Ballarat continued the Bendigo Bombers' poor start to the season at Central Park Stawell winning 23.13 (151) to the 9.6 (60).Bendigo goalkickers: Lucas (4), Bock (2), Holmes, Davies, Slattery (1). Best: Bristow, Slattery, Quinn, Lucas, Scanlon, Bock.
