Great to see good weather for these practice games which can so often take place in 30plus degrees weather

The VFL players are going in hard for the ball and really taking advantage of the opportunity, where as the four AFL players (who have played a senior game - Hunt, Hore, Baker and J. Wagner) are going about it quite casually in comparison.

Bedford looking sharp.

Essendon have fielded a few of their (injury permitting) best 22 and it's showing against our mainly VFL side, which should also be noted is featuring many new faces.

Another goal. Bombers got 2 more too. They lead by 17 points. 

 

6 minutes ago, Ham said:

The VFL players are going in hard for the ball and really taking advantage of the opportunity, where as the four AFL players (who have played a senior game - Hunt, Hore, Baker and J. Wagner) are going about it quite casually in comparison.

Bedford looking sharp.

Essendon have fielded a few of their (injury permitting) best 22 and it's showing against our mainly VFL side, which should also be noted is featuring many new faces.

How has rivers been?

6.3.39 leads 3.5.23. So 9 scoring shots to 8. Clean up the kicking and they might have a show.

Have counted at least 8 best 22 players for Essendrug.

Half Time. Bombers by 17.

https://twitter.com/melbournefc/status/1230706584084312064?s=20https://twitter.com/melbournefc/status/1230706584084312064?s=20

Essendon arent playing in the Marsh Series this weekend thats why their playing a strong team against our kids today.

Our real game is tomorrow.

2 minutes ago, joshua said:

How has rivers been?

Good, nothing to note particularly, but has been relatively clean with the ball and getting amongst it.

Hopefully see a bit more in the second. 

Predominantly Essendon (bogan) crowd I assume most Melbourne supporters have jobs to go to

Just now, sisso said:

Predominantly Essendon (bogan) crowd I assume most Melbourne supporters have jobs to go to

There is a notable amount of Essendon supporters here, I was wondering... why. 

12 minutes ago, sisso said:

Predominantly Essendon (bogan) crowd I assume most Melbourne supporters have jobs to go to

Plus kids not in school. 

1 minute ago, Demonland said:

Plus kids not in school. 

Isn’t that Orazio Fantasia?

17 minutes ago, Ham said:

There is a notable amount of Essendon supporters here, I was wondering... why. 

Dealers in the car park?

Bombers taking control.

Is Bradtke rucking and what level is the Essendon opponent?

Thanks

1 minute ago, Demonland said:

Bombers taking control.

Interesting to see the works on the non grandstand wing. It's usually a lonely place over there during a VFL game. Much nicer on the grass verges that start around the 50 metre arc at both ends.

Some vision courtesy of the Bombers.

42 points down at 3/4 time.

 

19 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Is Bradtke rucking and what level is the Essendon opponent?

Thanks

He is, but is sharing the load with the VFL ruckman (wearing #1) name evades me. 

No clue who the Essendon ruck is, but it's very 50/50.

For us, Hore is grabbing everything that comes his way (which is quite a lot), his disposals have been serviceable, nothing outstanding. 

Rivers is having a fair crack, when he gets it he is rushing a little bit and doesn't have a lot of poise, disposal is a reflection of that and has had a couple of blunders. His reading the play well and is getting into good positions. 

Hunt is really not doing a lot.

Baker the same as Hunt, just going about it.

Bedford is picking the ball up well and presenting into space, his decision making on positioning has stepped up a notch and he looks more confident - compared to last year where he was very opportunistic and waited on the outer for the ball.

Bradtke has flown at the ball well and has taken a couple of good grabs, including a nice contested one. Still needs size, but it'll come.

J. Wagner much the same as Hunt and Baker.

*Rivers just slotted one from just inside 50 off a step, good kick.

Edited February 21, 20206 yr by Ham
Added more info

It's important to note that Essendon changed teams completely after half time meaning they had fresh legs after half time. It doesn't take a genius to guess that that may have impacted the lopsided scoreboard that quarter.

 

Halfway through the last:

Melbourne/Casey 3.9.27 Essendon 12.7.79

Trent Rivers kicks his first goal for the Demons. Bombers by 47.

 

And they go down by 74 points.

Melbourne/Casey 0.3.3 3.4.22 3.6.24 4.8.32

Essendon 4.2.26 6.3.39 10.5.65 16.10.106

Goals Briggs McCaffrey Rivers White

Good day for the club. 

Players who are being rotated still get a run against some AFL standard players and it looks like our guys got through unscathed. 

Great result. 

18 hours ago, Elwood 3184 said:

And they go down by 74 points.