Essendon will use Saturday night’s clash against St Kilda to further develop the game styles and structures put in place by second-year coach James Hird and the extended coaching panel.
Development coach James Byrne said the Bombers would use the pre-season match as an opportunity to test themselves against a strong St Kilda side, set to feature the return of key midfielder Lenny Hayes.
“Obviously you go out there to win a game of footy, but we have a heavy focus on making sure the players are playing to the structures that we have been trying to teach them,” Byrne said.
“What we are predominately focusing on is being able to play with the structures we have been trying to teach them.
“The players are working really hard and we have put heavy loads into them because we’re coming in to some really solid pre-season games over the next few weeks.”
Byrne also highlighted the performances of the club’s newest recruits in what had been a demanding pre-season campaign.
“The young guys are all hitting their targets in terms of weight and strength but they still do have work to do,” he said.
“On that note, they are really keen and as a coaching group we are starting to see some great leadership come out in the new guys at the club.
“The likes of Nick O’Brien and Cory Dell’Olio are really putting their hands up and are continuing to work hard.”
The Bombers are set to take on St Kilda at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Saturday 3 March and will face Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Friday 9 March.
Development coach James Byrne said the Bombers would use the pre-season match as an opportunity to test themselves against a strong St Kilda side, set to feature the return of key midfielder Lenny Hayes.
“Obviously you go out there to win a game of footy, but we have a heavy focus on making sure the players are playing to the structures that we have been trying to teach them,” Byrne said.
“What we are predominately focusing on is being able to play with the structures we have been trying to teach them.
“The players are working really hard and we have put heavy loads into them because we’re coming in to some really solid pre-season games over the next few weeks.”
Byrne also highlighted the performances of the club’s newest recruits in what had been a demanding pre-season campaign.
“The young guys are all hitting their targets in terms of weight and strength but they still do have work to do,” he said.
“On that note, they are really keen and as a coaching group we are starting to see some great leadership come out in the new guys at the club.
“The likes of Nick O’Brien and Cory Dell’Olio are really putting their hands up and are continuing to work hard.”
The Bombers are set to take on St Kilda at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Saturday 3 March and will face Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Friday 9 March.
