""He was a very good player for us tonight. He really cut through that midfield and opened the game up for us,"" Sheedy said after the match. ""It was probably the best game he has played for Essendon.""
""He has had some problems with his body and he has missed a fair bit of footy on the last year or two so I was really pleased to see him play so well tonight.""
""I also thought Kepler Bradley did well for us and he also gave us a little bit when we put him into the ruck. Players like him need time. Nathan Lovett-Murray is another one - he did well across half back and he will get better with time.""
""Brent Stanton was very good for us and he has been all pre-season. He and Kepler Bradley have been the two young players that have stood up for us.""
Sheedy said the improvement in the side was gradual and that is the way it would have to be as the club searches for its next batch of stars.
""As long as we keep getting better we are on track for round 1 - that is the most important thing and that is what we saw tonight. A few senior players came back into the team and we looked better. But we have to keep getting better.""
