Bombers defender makes stellar AFL return in Dreamtime nail-biter

Following Jordan Ridley’s seamless return to the senior side and a stunning debut by valued draftee Nate Caddy, Essendon coach Brad Scott will embrace the selection headaches that lie ahead.

The Bombers recaptured second place on Saturday night with a 12-point Dreamtime at the ‘G victory over Richmond, who overcame a league-worst injury list to remain in position in the last minutes for what would have been a stunning shock in front of nearly 80,000 fans.

Instead, Adem Yze’s Tigers lost for the tenth time in eleven games, despite Dustin Martin turning back the clock in game No.298 with three goals and 23 disposals. The one blemish for Essendon was Nik Cox’s hamstring injury, which forced him to be replaced at quarter-time, with scans to determine the extent of the damage.

Richmond star Shai Bolton (concussion) will miss next week’s game against Geelong after taking a knee to the back of his head in an aerial duel, while defender Tylar Young sustained a probable ACL rupture in the VFL.

Ridley’s start to the year was delayed by a pre-season quad injury, which he aggravated in April, so this was Scott’s first chance to see how off-season newcomer Ben McKay would improve Essendon’s 2020 club title.

Ridley’s first match of the season could not have gone better, as he finished with game highs of 12 marks and 14 intercept possessions before receiving the Yiooken Medal as the best player on the field. “Based on his performance tonight, it’s clear that we need to confirm his accuracy… “If we brought him back [too soon] and he got hurt, I’d never forgive myself,” Scott stated.

“[Our medical staff] cleared him to play, but I had him wait an additional two weeks. There are very few players who can come back from a long absence and look as if nothing happened, and he is one of them.

“It was important to bring Ben in because it would cement our defense and give us other alternatives, and they had only played half a practice game together outside tonight. Zach Reid is another player who is getting closer; he’s accessible, but we have to be very cautious about his return to play.

“I felt [Jayden] Laverde was terrific tonight for us as well, so our backline has been doing well. McKay has been a big part of that, and Ridley only adds to that.”

Harrison Jones’ one-week suspension for aggressive conduct handed fellow tall forward Caddy his senior opportunity, earning him the final member of last year’s top ten to make his AFL debut. The 2017 draft class is the only one in which the first ten picks played their first games sooner.

Caddy finished with 10 disposals, seven contested possessions, three free kicks, and two behinds in an encouraging showing. “I thought he looked like an AFL player,” Scott added.

“Some players may feel overwhelmed by Dreamtime at the ‘G, which is a significant debut…” It’s a long way from VFL football to Dreamtime at the G, but I admire his competitiveness and athleticism.

Scott did not guarantee Caddy would hold his spot when Jones returned next week, but he was pleased with the club’s new depth.

“I’ve always wanted to do it, and now you’re out there playing on one of the biggest days of the year. It was a close game the entire time, and I just tried to grit it out, but it was challenging and enjoyable,” Caddy stated.

“I basically tried to base my game on pressure, but perhaps I can play some more games and gain some consistency, and the goals will follow.

“I felt pressured [to play after everyone else in the top ten].” I sought to bide my time in the VFL by producing a good body of work. I didn’t want to be handed a game, so hopefully I can keep my spot, but if not, I’ll keep slogging away and see what happens, but I’m glad to get the first one out of the way.”

Yze was more impressed with Richmond’s performance on Saturday night, after they had lost their previous two games to the Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs by a combined 210 points. “We feel like our supporters would have been proud with the effort,“Yze remarked.

“We feel like our supporters would have been proud with the effort,“Yze remarked. “it’s what we expect every week, but part of it is being honest about how we’ll review the game, and there are still aspects of our game that we’re not excellent at.

The essential thing was our spirit, energy, and making the jumper proud, which we expect to accomplish every week, so that’s the standard we want.” Martin’s season-best performance came after a period of external criticism of his form, which Yze believed was unfair, while speculation about his future plans persists.

“We’ve adjusted [his training program] a little bit, so he can have some energy,” added Yze.

“He was sore early in the year, but now he’s getting some consistency in his training, and it was great to see him get some recognition out on the field. He is putting forth a tremendous effort. He’s attempting to lead our younger forwards [because] we now have a very youthful attacking line, so synergy may take some time.

“He’s used to playing with the same guys he has done for the last 10 years, and without having those guys around, it can be a little bit hard, so it’s just good to see him enjoying his footy.”