Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy praised the efforts of his younger players in tonight’s 19-point win over the Western Bulldogs. Injury and suspension forced Essendon to make five changes to the team that faced Carlton last week. Out went five experienced Bomber campaigners – Dustin Fletcher, Paul Barnard, Joe Misiti, Sean Wellman and Adam Ramanauskas. In came relatively unknown players Darren Walsh, Ted Richards, Jordan Bannister and Shane Harvey. “I was impressed with Darren Walsh’s last quarter, Shane Harvey’s performance in front of goal and the way that Ted Richard’s contested the ball and worked hard all night,” Sheedy said.

Another young player to impress the four-time premiership coach was David Hille. Hille finished the match with four goals and was clearly one of the Bombers’ best players. “Tonight is one of the best games David Hille has played for this club. He put in a solid four-quarter performance. His goal kicking didn’t surprise me though because he has fantastic skills and good hand and foot co-ordination,” Sheedy said.

Sheedy also made mentioned of the performance of his more experienced players. “The senior players really stood up for us tonight. I thought James Hird played a disciplined game and I think we may have found a centre half forward in Matthew Lloyd,” Sheedy said.