Delighted with his team’s pre-season form, Essendon coach James Hird expects to have a full squad to choose from against North Melbourne in their AFL season-opener after the Bombers rounded off their campaign with a solid 56-point victory over Brisbane.
The Bombers won Saturday’s AFL practice match 16.16 (112) to 8.8 (56) at Visy Park.
With no fresh injuries from Saturday’s match, Hird believes barring any unexpected mishap at training, the Bombers should have a full squad come the start of the season.
Several players, including young ruckman Tom Bellchambers, will be given a run in a VFL practice match next week, but Hird is happy with the form and fitness of his group going into round one.
“We have been happy with our whole pre-season and to get the last two games, the way we have played, the intensity, our forward pressure, it is exactly what we needed.
“You come into these games not too worried about the result, just wanting to play the game out and getting through injury-free, which we have,” Hird said after the game.
However, the coach admitted to some level of concern when star forward Michael Hurley hit the ground after a heavy bump from Brisbane defender Pearce Hanley.
Hanley was reported for charging the Bomber. Hurley has had an interrupted pre-season because of hamstring injuries, and Hird was initially concerned for his welfare.
“That is the battle in these sorts of games. Michael needed the game time – he hasn’t played a lot of footy. We had to rule out concussion, which we did, but we were keen for him to come back on if he was okay, just to get the game time.”
Hurley was among the best players on the ground kicking five goals and grabbing eight marks in a strong performance for Essendon in front of goal.
“He was able to have eight or nine shots at goal and, as a forward, you need that confidence, and he got that,” said Hird.
Brisbane coach Michael Voss was unconcerned by the report on Hanley believing it had been a fair contest.
“It looked like a very immediate contest,” said Voss.
“Sometimes you look at what the opposition do and they certainly didn’t remonstrate with him.”
Although Voss thought the loss to the Bombers was the Lions’ most disappointing hitout of the pre-season, he was pleased with the competitive spirit of draftee Billy Longer and the defensive work of veteran Matt Maguire.
“I thought today was our worst performance but, generally, our pre-season has been pretty solid. I have been happy with how they have looked, at the way we want to move the ball and what our stoppages have looked like,” he said.
Brisbane will start their season with a clash against Melbourne at the MCG. Ash McGrath, who missed the practice match against the Bombers, should be right for round one, while captain Jonathan Brown and Josh Drummond are both expected back in round two or three.
