Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett shine in Essendon intra-club hit-out
JAY CLARK, Herald Sun
16 minutes ago
Subscriber only
ESSENDON captain Jobe Watson has sparkled in his first competitive hit-out in more than a year, helping remove any doubts about his passion for the game.
Watson was one of the standouts along with fellow returning stars Dyson Heppell and Michael Hurley and youngsters Zach Merrett and Orazio Fantasia in a secret intra-club game at Tullamarine.
But the Bombers have some early headaches in the big man department with key swingman Cale Hooker missing from the match with some hamstring soreness, joining Joe Daniher (knee) and Tom Bellchambers (knee) on the sidelines on Saturday. Key defender Michael Hartley also hurt his hamstring in the intra-club in another fresh set-back.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was a sensation in defence last season but looks set to be shifted into a more permanent forward role this year. The tough nut provided one of the highlights of the match with a clever goal near the boundary line on Saturday.
The club is delighted with Watson who, after almost walking away from the game last year amid the crushing supplements scandal, could yet make an emphatic return to vintage form after keeping in top shape during his break in New York.
Watson, 31, shone with his stoppage craft and long handballs to outside midfield runners, under the watchful gaze of new midfield development coach Greg Williams.
It was his first proper hit-out since Round 15, 2015 when he had just nine possessions against St Kilda.
There is significant interest in the form and fitness of the Bombers’ returning stars early this season, led by Watson, following their year-long supplement bans.
But the Bombers kept Saturday’s intra-club game quiet as they ramp up preparations for their pre-season opener against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on February 16.
Essendon tackles Hawthorn in a blockbuster Round 1 match at the MCG.
Third-year tall midfielder Kyle Langford also impressed playing largely out of the centre square in a bid to give the Bombers’ onball brigade some added height and flexibility this year.
Heppell, who is expected to take over the captaincy from Watson for next season, was another who excelled through the middle in his comeback effort, while blue-chip defender Hurley helped control the back line.
No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath also showed his class running out of half-back and is looks set to make his AFL debut in 2017, while Martin Gleeson’s intercept marking was also a strong feature.
After taking out the wooden spoon last year, there is a renewed sense of optimism surrounding the Bombers’ new-look midfield and dynamic small forward line as the club targets a return to finals under coach John Worsfold.
McDonald-Tipungwuti, speedy Fantasia and new recruit Josh Green all looked dangerous in attack without a top-line key forward presence.
Fitness boss Justin Crow said ex-Lion Green had been “brilliant” since his arrival at Essendon and had “impressed with the way he has transformed his body”.
Matthew Leuenberger played ruck and forward for a half, while Mitch Brown and new recruit James Stewart were kept quiet in their forward roles.
Crow said Daniher was likely to miss at least one of the pre-season games as he recovers from a knee issue.
“Joe is back into high rehab load and he will be progressing back into training over the next fortnight,” Crow said.
“I would be thinking (he will play) more the later end of the community series, than the front-end”.
Fantasia kicked two goals and was handful for veteran defender Mark Baguley.
Irishman Conor McKenna produced some eye-catching runs from half-back and may battle with veteran Brent Stanton for a position in defence.
