Essendon’s final full dress rehearsal for the 2017 AFL season ended in a 22-point defeat to Geelong, but John Worsfold left Bendigo buoyant about the coming campaign.
The Bombers led the Cats by 40 points at halftime and it was that polished first-half display – not the second-half fade out – that was at the forefront of Worsfold’s mind.
“Overall we’re pretty happy, a bit disappointed with that poor third quarter, but we’re rapt with a lot of the stuff that we saw,” Worsfold said.
“The way the boys fought on undermanned in the ruck and still held up ok in the midfield.
“We’re pleased with how the forward line is coming together … to kick a 100 points against a good team is pleasing.”
Essendon ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is in danger of missing round one after picking up a hamstring injury in the first quarter.
The final round of the pre-season competition saw most clubs field strong teams as they gear up for round one of the home-and-away season.
Port Adelaide scored their first win of the series, the Power defeating Hawthorn 0.14.12 (96) to 1.8.11 (68) at Noarlunga Oval on Sunday.
A near full-strength Adelaide feasted on Brisbane at the same venue on Saturday, the Crows scoring a 1.20.13 (142) to 1.15.4 (103) win.
“As a whole block of games, it finished off our preparation well,” Adelaide coach Don Pyke said.
“It has been great to be able to give some guys some different opportunities in different roles … we have got the right minutes into the right guys and I thought we played some really positive football.”
Collingwood took on Richmond in Moe on Saturday and the Pies came away with a 1.15.15 (114) to 0.16.11 (107) victory, Adam Treloar starring with 29 possessions and a supergoal.
Coming off a 92-point hiding at the hands of St Kilda, Carlton suffered their third loss of the series, going down to Fremantle by 21 points at Subiaco on Friday night.
“The pre-season is about preparation, experimenting, and trying new kids,” coach Brendon Bolton said.
“The season proper is a new game altogether.”
Several clubs have injury concerns, notably Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt (ankle), Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury (Achilles), Adelaide captain Taylor Walker (hamstring) and Fremantle’s Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring).
Greater Western Sydney were left counting the cost of their 38-point win over North Melbourne in Canberra, Giants Steve Johnson (concussion), Aidan Corr (hand) and Stephen Coniglio (ankle) all picking up injuries.
The Western Bulldogs and West Coast recorded wins over Gold Coast and Melbourne respectively in the opening games of the round on Thursday night.
