Former AFL recruiter Matt Rendell is extremely impressed with Essendon’s system and the improvement of certain players.
The Bombers finished the stronger to beat Collingwood by 24 points on Anzac Day with midfielder Darcy Parish (42 disposals) starring in his best game for the club.
Injuries forced coach Ben Rutten to shuffle his pack with Jayden Leverde moved into defence, Parish into an inside midfield role and Cale Hooker deployed as a permanent forward.
All three moves have paid off and Rendell sees glimpses of Richmond in the way Essendon are structuring up and their willingness to work for each other.
“The first thing I wanted to say is how impressed I was by Essendon. If ever I was looking at a team that’s going to morph into a clone of Richmond, it’s this Essendon team,” Rendell told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“Clearly with (Ben) Rutten and (Blake) Caracella – who came from Richmond – I was really impressed by how they ran to the ball carrier, they were always in support, they always got out of trouble which is very Richmond-like through the midfield.
“I’m really impressed by how some of their players are playing to the best of their ability and they haven’t in the past – (Jayden) Leverde in defence has been fantastic, (Mason) Redman looks heaps better, (Aaron) Francis is often out of his weight class playing as a key back – and he’s been super – Hooker’s playing a great role up forward … Parish is playing to the peak of his ability.
“That’s why he got taken at pick No.5 in the draft. He’s playing to his absolute optimum as is (Zach) Merrett again, who wanted to leave last year.
“(Andrew) Phillips was great in the ruck I thought, really nullified (Brodie) Grundy, and the big fella (Peter) Wright – much maligned, doesn’t look like a ruckman, but he can certainly play forward and he’s a beautiful kick. He’s improved out of sight as well.
“That tells me that Essendon have got a really good system. They’re a year or two away from being a force again.”
Essendon (2-4) take on Carlton (2-4) in a crucial clash at the MCG on Sunday.
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