Essendon assistant coach Ashley Prescott has selected the performance of the Bomber midfield as one of the most encouraging aspects of the team’s thrilling win against the Bulldogs.
“The midfield's balance of attack and defence was really good,” Prescott said on a new episode of Weekend Rewind.
""A lot of the midfielders are really working back to assist the defence.
“The Western Bulldogs have been the least tackled team in the competition, and we had 87 tackles and we didn’t miss many so that was really pleasing.”
From sitting in the coach’s box, Prescott said the team's intensity was obvious.
“The way we approached the game, probably from the first bounce until the 15 minute mark of the last quarter, was really positive,” he said.
“Towards the end of the game we turned it over a little bit, and that’s when they did score goals, but our in-tight work and releasing the ball to an outside player was particularly pleasing.”
Jason Winderlich receives Prescott’s vote for best on ground, with the Bomber utility being praised for, among other things, his role as a leader on game day.
“On the field, he leads. He leads with his knowledge of the game, his communication, and his direction,” Prescott said.
""He’s actually a very intelligent footballer.
“He’s winning a lot of contested footy at the moment and really putting his head over the ball when he needs to.
""We’re a better side when he’s got the ball in his hands, there’s no doubt about that.”
An interview with Brent Prismall also features on this week’s show, with the Bomber midfielder already looking towards this weekend’s clash with Sydney at the SCG.
“We won the last time we played at the SCG last year, so we go over there with a lot of confidence,"" Prismall said.
""To come out of that game being six (wins) and five (losses) would be a great stepping stone for the rest of the year.""
