This Saturday will give the Essendon coaching panel a clearer picture of where this football club stands as Round 1 approaches. They got a sneak preview in the Wizard Cup opener against the Kangaroos and probably didn’t like what they saw. However, a lot can change in the space of a week – they will have been working hard on ensuring that is the case.
This game is an important one for each and every player selected for one reason or another.
Jordan Bannister – missed out on a spot in the Wizard Cup opener and that would have stung him. Wants to show the coaching panel he is capable of having an impact at senior level.
Mark Bolton – will miss the first three games through suspension. Needs to find form now to ensure he is an automatic selection once his suspension is served.
Marc Bullen – promises plenty and now is the time to deliver. With Joe Misiti missing this is his chance to have an impact in the midfield.
Damian Cupido – showed glimpses in his first game but Sheedy has said he is probably behind youngster Jobe Watson in the pecking order at this stage. He’ll want to make up ground.
James Davies – boom recruit of 2000 who has managed just one senior game. You only get so many chances at this level and Saturday is one of them.
Dustin Fletcher – must lead a very inexperienced defence.
Aaron Henneman – needs to find form and fitness for the Brisbane clash where he could get the job on Alastair Lynch.
Danny Jacobs – he was a bit quiet against Kangaroos but we all know how good he can be. He will want to find his best form.
Jason Johnson – will provide guidance to youngsters such as Marc Bullen.
Mark Johnson – with Misiti out, he gets another chance to make his mark in the midfield.
Jason Laycock – going well but will want to further enhance his chances of being selected in the seniors come Round 1.
Matthew Lloyd – is going really well. He will simply want to maintain the momentum going into the first match of the season.
Adam McPhee - Made his presence felt in the Wizard Cup. He is still feeling his way to a degree. Will want to take another couple of steps forward.
Mark McVeigh – another who could get his chance in the midfield. He has done a super pre-season and he now wants to get the rewards on match day.
Damien Peverill – has missed the first two games. Form and fitness will be his priorities.
Joel Reynolds – can he hold down a position in defence if Mark Johnson moves into the midfield?
Ted Richards – crunch time. Another who has had an excellent pre-season but the coaches will want results on match day.
Dean Solomon – He will just want to come of the ground unscathed and feeling more confident about his return to AFL football.
Darren Walsh – Will want to show that his pace is going to be useful. He can put the selectors on notice right now with a good performance.
Jobe Watson - Excellent start to the pre-season and he will just want to keep learning and doing the right things. Could play Round 1 if he continues to do the job.
Sean Wellman – played a number of roles against the Kangaroos. The coaching staff might want to settle him somewhere.
Andrew Welsh – he would be the first to admit he was stitched up by Leigh Harding last week. Is a much better player than that and he will want to show that.
Ken Hall – Looks more at home at senior level the more he plays. Experience will count for plenty.
Ben Haynes – Found the football when the chips were down last week. Will want to further stake his claims for elevation from the rookie list.
So anyone who thinks there is nothing on the line this weekend is very wrong.
