Since Essendon has had a change of guard in its head coach position, the football world has seen a different Essendon side. New coach Matthew Knights said from the outset that he was going to have a “Youth Policy” meaning he was going to bring new blood into the aging Bombers line up. His plan was to mould the Bomber youth into his team, playing his game plan, with the idea of future success on his mind.

Season 2008 saw Essendon struggle with consistency with an 8 game losing streak, followed by a streak of 4 wins, and then only managing 2 more wins in the last 9 games of the season. The fast run and carry game plan had been exciting from an Essendon supporter’s perspective when the team pulled it off, and has frustrated us when they fail.

Already in 2009 Essendon has surprised many, and although they are not by any stretch the best they have clearly shown enough promising signs for the future. The game plan Matthew Knights is pushing requires a fit, fast, and skilful midfield outfit and the younger players are stepping up in the absence of some big names.

Available

Brent Stanton

Stanton is leading Essendon’s possession count in 2009 with 192, and 108 of those are by foot. He also leads Essendon’s marks with 54 so far showing he has been able to find space. Stanton frequently pushes forward to provide support and has a record of 7 goals 1 behind to show for it. He has averaged just over 27 disposals so far which is an improvement of 5 touches on his 2008 averages.

Jobe Watson

Watson is only 2 disposals behind Stanton for the year with 190, but his stats are opposite in that 109 of them are handballs suggesting he is the one that often gets in the thick of it to win the ball. Reading the play well at stoppages, Watson has been integral to the Dons winning the ball in the midfield. Like Stanton, Watson has also averaged just over 27 disposals this season which, like Stanton, this is above his 2008 average, but only by 3.

Andrew Lovett

Lovett has really matured as a player and proved himself so far. His blistering speed has proved pivotal in the Bombers ability to break through the packs at stoppages and getting the ball forward. Averaging just under 20 disposals so far this year he has only increased this by one but he is having an impact on the scoreboard more frequently.

Jason Winderlich

Having only played 9 games in 2008 before going in for season ending back surgery, Winderlich has come back with a new found enthusiasm in 2009. He has increased his average disposal count by 4 over last season, and 3 over 2007 which was his best year prior to 2009. Winderlich is also taking more marks and has averaged nearly a goal a game so far in what is becoming a career defining season for him.

Heath Hocking

In the absence of Andrew Welsh, Hocking has been utilised as Essendon’s number one tagger. In this role he has surprised many, playing on many of the big name midfielders and although he might not have completely nullified them he has managed to at least limit their influence on the game. Hocking had only played 4 games prior to 2009, 3 of which were in 2008. He has increased his disposal count by 5 and is taking one extra mark a game, but the big difference to his game is his increased pressure. Averaging 4 more tackles a game in 2009 than the rest of his career which highlights his season so far.

David Zaharakis

This first year player has proved to be somewhat of a cult figure after his match winning goal against the Pies on ANZAC day, but how has he played the rest of the year? The youngster has averaged nearly 15 disposals which isn’t a bad effort, but he also manages nearly 3 tackles consistently. David could probably work on his accuracy in front of goal as he has ironically kicked 4.6 in his 6 games.

Injured

Mark McVeigh

McVeigh has only managed one game in 2009 due to an ongoing ankle injury sustained in the NAB Cup, but after his move into the midfield in 2008 he became an important ball winner for the Dons. Averaging over 22 disposals, 4 marks a goal and 3 tackles he cemented himself into the midfield. Essendon has missed him this year but he isn’t far from returning.

Andrew Welsh

Playing a tagging role in 2008, Welsh managed to shut down some of the big names in footy while still contributing himself. Averaged 17 disposals, 4 marks and 4 tackles which isn’t a bad effort for his first year as a tagger. He was looking at a stellar 2009 season before breaking his fibula in a freak accident during a tackle in Essendon’s intra-club match during pre-season.

Brent Prismall

Essendon faithful would have been ecstatic to pick up Prismall in the trading period after the 2008 season. Unfortunately he won’t play till mid-season after recovering from an ACL injury, but at 22 he still has plenty of footy left in him. In 2008 he played 12 games with Geelong averaging 21 disposals 4 marks and 2 tackles. In his one game in the VFL for the Bendigo Bombers in 2009 he played 50% game time and collected 12 possessions showing good signs for the future.

Kyle Reimers

Rotating between the forward line and the wing in 2008, Reimers built a reputation for not only his decent speed but also his bright orange boots. He had a breakout season playing 15 of a possible 22 games averaging nearly 15 disposals, 4 marks and 2 tackles. Earned himself a NAB rising star nomination, and also won the Essendon rising star award on Crichton Medal night. He has been unable to play so far this year due to an ongoing quad injury, but will be sure to make a quick return if he shows form in the VFL.