Physique blow for Essendon Bombers with Jordan Ridley injured in defeat to Geelong Cats

Ridley, who signed a three-year extension this week till the tip of 2029, was downcast at three-quarter-time on Friday night time with ice strapped to the entrance of his proper leg.

Bombers assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa mentioned post-match the 23-year-old exited the competition after complaining of a decent quadriceps.

“He’s received a decent quad, [and] clearly that may get scans this week, and we’ll see how that goes,” Giansiracusa mentioned. “He’s an essential participant for us, so hopefully it isn’t that unhealthy.”

Essendon began brightly and led for a lot of the night time at GMHBA Stadium in a much-improved efficiency from their 11-goal defeat final week to St Kilda, however conceded the primary 5 targets of the ultimate time period to lose 11.17 (83) to 10.11 (71).

The Bombers’ new-look again line in any other case held up nicely, with recruit Ben McKay retaining Tom Hawkins in test and top-10 draftee Zach Reid exhibiting promise after an injury-marred starting to his profession.

Dashing Cat Max Holmes was wonderful in his new half-back position with a team-high 29 disposals and virtually 650 metres gained earlier than ending the match on the bench with a left foot situation, however downplayed any issues post-match.

All-Australian Tyson Stengle’s three-goal show was additionally extremely encouraging for coach Chris Scott, who would have additionally appreciated what he noticed from younger forwards Ollie Dempsey and Shannon Neale.

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Ollie Henry (ankle) and Gary Rohan (again) sat out the competition, so it’s nonetheless unclear precisely how Geelong’s assault will look in spherical one past the likes of Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, Stengle and Gryan Miers.

Dempsey, particularly, confirmed off his athleticism and robust arms to collect 15 disposals and kick a purpose. One other high draft choose, Jhye Clark, relished his further centre-bounce alternatives to win 17 disposals, whereas Tanner Bruhn additionally did some good issues.

Captain Patrick Dangerfield completed strongly after restricted recreation time within the first half, whereas fellow veteran Mitch Duncan appeared sharp with 21 disposals.

There’s renewed expectation on Essendon this season after an low season recruiting raid that secured them McKay, Jade Gresham, Xavier Duursma and Todd Goldstein.

The hiding from the Saints final week – in a fair lower-scale match simulation conflict – was removed from a great begin, significantly after they tumbled out of finals competition a 12 months in the past with 5 defeats within the final seven rounds.

McKay’s fellow skilled newcomers had been additionally outstanding towards Geelong, with Gresham organising a collection of scoring alternatives and kicking two targets, Goldstein a robust ruck performer in Sam Draper’s absence, and Duursma busy in defence.

Draper (groin) performed a half within the earlier VFL scratch match, whereas Dylan Shiel (foot), Ben Hobbs (shoulder) and top-10 draftee Nate Caddy (soreness) had been among the many different notable outs.

Duursma recovered from two early defensive-50 turnovers that resulted in Cats targets to Stengle and Tom Stewart, however a stray handball later gifted Shaun Mannagh one other.

Darcy Parish (34 disposals) and Zach Merrett (25) had been sometimes prolific within the center, whereas Nic Martin (28, two targets) and Andy McGrath (31) offered loads of sprint out of defence, and Kyle Langford kicked three first-half targets. Prized draftee Elijah Tsatas (24) additionally made an impression.

Jake Stringer had thrilling bursts with out maximising his alternatives in entrance of purpose.

Fellow ahead Peter Wright’s night time ended at half-time for load-management causes after a four-disposal outing the place he was unable to make his mark aerially towards Geelong defender Sam De Koning.

What you’ll want to know

There was fairly a little bit of doom and gloom in regards to the Cats coming into this season after their underwhelming 2023 marketing campaign – and with one other 12 months on high of their veteran core.

A pre-season victory over Essendon, significantly after trailing for a lot of the recreation, mustn’t dramatically alter anybody’s expectations, however their fan base must be buoyed by the youthful crop ready within the wings.

Coach Chris Scott is unlikely to desert his skilled stars early within the season, however it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if he backs in any of his rising gamers, equivalent to Dempsey or Neale, inside the first month. Clark is one who most likely faces an extended wait to interrupt into the on-ball rotation.

Assistant Steven King mentioned Henry must be match for spherical one, however that Rohan was extra prone to return by way of the VFL.

“I feel we are going to go away from this recreation and have a very good debate round what the very best crew seems like,” King mentioned. “However we’re in a very lucky place the place we’ve received 32, most likely 35, gamers we are able to legitimately play [in] spherical one – we’re actually match and wholesome.”

Jack Henry managed solely 11 video games final season due to foot points however his return to Geelong’s defence stiffens them up, alongside the spectacular De Koning, among the best younger key defenders within the competitors.

Holmes, a midfielder to this stage of his profession, appears a reluctant defender based mostly on his post-match interview with Fox Footy however appeared a pure in an attacking position.

“I’m making an attempt to get the road coaches to battle for me,” Holmes mentioned. “However I feel I’m simply pleased to let it unfold.”

Knowledgeable’s view

Essendon sit someplace in the course of the pack this 12 months and confirmed sufficient on Friday night time to recommend they might push for a finals spot if issues go proper.

Ridley’s potential absence within the early going compounds a brutal draw to start the 12 months, however the defence must be stronger with McKay’s arrival and if Reid can keep wholesome, alongside Jayden Laverde.

There’s additionally loads of punch in assault, given Langford kicked 51 targets a 12 months in the past and was a handful towards Geelong, whereas Stringer and Wright are different aerial choices, and Gresham provides a brand new ingredient, too.

Key gamers

Nic Martin: Martin’s shift to half-back seems an instantaneous winner. The rising star not solely launched the Bombers from defence and took kick-ins, however his hard-running methods meant he nonetheless created loads of offence, together with sneaking ahead to kick two targets.

Max Holmes: Holmes performed as an inside and outside midfielder final 12 months, however he, too, finds himself down again this 12 months. The Cats unleashed the pace demon at each alternative, and was their main disposal-winner, so count on to see him in his new place for some time.

Darcy Parish: New season, usual Parish. The relentless ball magnet led all-comers with 20 disposals at half-time, to go along with 4 clearances, and was a power on the within, the place he has all the time finished his greatest work. Parish and Merrett look nicely and actually prepared for spherical one.

What’s subsequent?

Neither Geelong nor Essendon will play in “spherical zero”, giving them an additional week for the season correct. The Bombers face conventional rivals Hawthorn on the MCG on Saturday, March 16, whereas the Cats host St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium the identical night time.

GEELONG CATS
3.3 6.9 6.15 11.17 (83)
ESSENDON
4.4 7.6 9.7 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Stengle 3, Stewart, Holmes, Shut, Hawkins, Miers, Neale, Dempsey, Mannagh.
Essendon: Langford 3, Gresham 2, Martin 2, Stringer, Parish, Hind.
BEST
Geelong Cats: Holmes, Stengle, Bruhn, Guthrie, Dempsey, Clark.
Essendon: Parish, Merrett, Martin, Setterfield, McGrath, Langford.