There were a number of impressive players for the Bombers but none more so than Courtney Dempsey, Jason Winderlich and Joel Reynolds - three players thant have recently played senior football for the Bombers.
Rookies Heath Hocking, Matthew Firman and Ben Jolley were also among Bendigo's best. All three could yet player senior football this season with Adam Ramanauskas, Matthew Lloyd and Aaron Henneman already ruled out for the remainder of the season. Any or all could be elevated as required.
But is was Courtney Dempsey that was the talk of Windy Hill after a blistering performance in the midfield.
""Courtney Dempsey was really exciting. He showed just how much class he has got - he used his speed, carried the ball and used it well. I think we have something very exciting with this young man,"" Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said.
""Jason Winderlich had 34 possessions and probably played his best game since he has been at the club. It was a real confidence booster for him - he played in the midfield and pushed forward and kicked five goals. It was a dominant performance.""
""We were also really pleased with Joel Reynolds. He handled what happened last week and being dropped really well. He played wing / half forward and played with a real maturity and leadership. He marked really well and kicked two important goals. It is just the sort of game he needed.""
""Jay Nash had 26 possessions and looked very good and he also kicked a couple of important goals. Andrew Lee played at full back on Jade Rawlings. Rawlings kicked three goals but Andrew did quite well - he does look like a real key position prospect.
Dodoro was impressed with Essendon's rookie brigade.
""Heath Hocking had 20 posessions and just keeps getting better with games. He puts his head over the ball and is a real athlete. Ben Jolley was excellent in the midfield and he laid eight tackles as well,"" Dodoro said.
