Following an impressive debut by Michael Hurley and a number of strong performances by young players in the VFL, Matthew Knights today told media he is feeling ""buoyant"" about the shape of the Bombers' 2009 list.
Knights will face a selection dilemma this week after strong VFL performances from Leroy Jetta, David Zaharakis, David Myers, Jay Nash, Darcy Daniher and Michael Quinn.
""There were some very strong performances. It's good to see some really good performances at VFL level as well as having Prismal, Welsh, Reimers, and McVeigh out,"" he said.
""I am just really buoyant about where this list is going, we've just got to keep pushing hard to develop it and make sure they all reach their maximum and reach their maximum together as a group. That's the most important thing.""
Knights says he considers it a ""must"" to play Hurley and fellow key-back prospect Tayte Pears more in the young Essendon backline to develop them together.
“We’ve got a young list and we are going to keep pushing them to improve and develop, we’ll continue to push them and be firm with them, but we have to be supportive and be patient,” he said.
“The last thing they need is to be hounded and have me tightening up on them, I’ve got to be supportive as a coach, keep teaching and we know they’ll come through.
“We’re always urging the players to own the game, to be creative when they have the ball. I think that a part of being a young player, is sometimes you feel like there is more heat then there actually is (in a game). They might not take the extra step or two or take the extra second.
“That leant skill comes with game time. I think Jobe Watson is a good example of that, when he first came into the league, he probably missed a few targets but now you’ll notice he is much more composed and settled because he’s played a few years in the midfield, he is getting a feel for the game.
“I need to keep supporting these young players so that they eventually make the good decisions and hit targets and I’m really confident they will.”
