Geelong has defeated Essendon to cap off its pre-season – 11.17 (83) to 10.11 (71) – but the Bombers have been left to sweat on a potentially significant injury blow to Jordan Ridley.
A former best and fairest winner, Ridley was ruled out of the game with ice strapped to his right quad – the same one he injured in round 19 last year to rule him out for the season.
The Cats looked to avoid any significant injury, sweetening a win that came off the back of a strong final quarter.
The only place to watch every game of the AFL Pre-Season live is Fox Footy, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
New Swan left limping in Lions defeat | 01:18
Essendon was well handled in last week’s pre-season hitout against St Kilda and will be looking to rebound ahead of a round one clash with Hawthorn.
It was a bizarre start to the match, with Matt Guelfi opting for a checkside set shot attempt despite being close to directly in front from 15 metres out.
“Wow! That was a check side from 15 metres out on a slight angle,” Brad Johnson said on Fox Footy.
“Looks like we’re going to have to get used to it throughout the year or they’ve been practicing it throughout the summer. Crikey.”
Jason Dunstall added: “You don’t trial it throughout the pre-season unless you’re running with it.”
Despite conceding the opening two goals, the Bombers hit their stride quickly, dominating clearance and hitting the scoreboard quickly.
Essendon entered the first change with a seven-point lead.
It was a more evenly contested second term, but the Bombers remained ahead at the main break, leading by three points.
Nic Martin was in ominous touch, racking up 15 disposals and kicking two goals to go with 330 metres gained.
Max Holmes was also in imposing form for the Cats as he relished a role change.
It was a tightly contested clash in the third quarter, with goals hard to come by.
While the Bombers led at three-quarter time, they suffered a significant loss with a quad injury to defender Jordan Ridley.
“If you look at the body language and teammates coming over giving him a pat on the head, that’s not a one or two-week injury,” Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.
“You the seeing that, you’ve done all the hard work, you’re ready to go – and bang it happens on the eve of the season. That’s terribly unlucky for that man, but we hope it’s the best possible and shortest recovery.
“It’s going to be a tough few weeks for him mentally, but let’s hope he gets that recovery done to a tee and gets back as quickly as possible.”
Ridley’s absence coincided with a drop from the Bombers, with the Cats storming home in the final quarter.
It was enough to seal a win for the Cats.
CATS
B: Mark O’Connor, Sam De Koning, Jake Kolodjashnij
HB: Jack Henry, Tom Stewart, Jed Bews
C: Mark Blicavs, Max Holmes, Mitch Duncan
HF: Tyson Stengle, Brad Close, Jeremy Cameron
F: Tom Hawkins, Gryan Miers, Shannon Neale
FOL: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Atkins
I/C: Zach Guthrie, Tanner Bruhn, Jhye Clark, Oisin Mullin, Zach Tuohy, Oliver Dempsey, Shaun Mannagh, Jack Bowes
EMG: Toby Conway, Mitch Knevitt, Connor O’Sullivan, Brandan Parfitt
BOMBERS
B: Ridley, McKay, Reid
HB: Redman, Laverde, McGrath
C: Durham, Parish, Martin
HF: Caldwell, Langford, Gresham
F: Stringer, Wright, Perkins
FOL: Goldstein, Setterfield, Merrett
INT: Tsatas, Cox, Hind, Jones, Bryan, Duursma, Guelfi, Menzie
EMG: Weideman, Hayes, A.Davey Jnr, Roberts
THE 3-2-1 (by Ben Waterworth)
3. ‘MY GOD’: 21YO STAR THAT’S GOING TO HELP CATS ‘CHANGE OUR GAME’
When Geelong coach Chris Scott was asked by Cameron Mooney pre-game which player he was most looking forward to watching against Essendon, he nominated Max Holmes.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing him develop and help us change our game a little bit,” Scott told Fox Footy.
And if Holmes’ performance against the Bombers – and overall exciting pre-season – is anything to go by, Scott won’t be the only person affiliated with the Cats that’ll follow Holmes’ growth with great delight, for the 21-year-old looms as an early contender for the AFL’s most improved player.
After an eye-catching match simulation display against Carlton last week, Holmes upped his output against the Bombers at GMHBA Stadium in his new role that’ll surely give the Cats a dynamic boost this season.
Holmes finished with a team-high 29 disposals and six score involvements, including one goal.
By half-time, Holmes had already accumulated 19 disposals, seven inside 50s and over 500m gained, such was his explosive start to the game off half-back.
Impressively, Holmes was just as influential when he went onto the ball at centre bounces.
Bulldogs games record-holder Brad Johnson said Holmes was “separating the game” between the arcs.
“Good transition off half-back, that’s what Holmes provides with that run. He just reads it quickly and it’s an excellent trait to his game,” Johnson told Fox Footy.
“It’s huge in terms of what they’re trying to produce with him: Get the ball, run your 10m, hit that speed and then launch it as well as you can. If he can produce those numbers, it’s a good start to the year.”
Mooney added Holmes could be a massive asset for the Cats and have a big say in how they fare in 2024.
“They’re going to throw him on the wing, they’re going to throw him on the ball. But off that backline, his pace and ability to run and carry … My god,” Mooney told Fox Footy.
“Speed is the biggest thing in the game right now, so get the ball in this guy’s hands and away you go.”
Holmes finished the game on the bench after an ankle scare, but gave Fox Footy cameras the thumbs up to indicate there were no concerns.
Holmes’ absence late mattered little, with the Cats blitzing the Bombers in the fourth quarter, booting five goals to one.
2. ‘TERRIBLY UNLUCKY’ BLOW FOR STAR SOURS IMPROVED BOMBERS HIT-OUT
The No. 1 priority for any player in any pre-season game is to emerge unscathed.
But that wasn’t the case for Essendon star Jordan Ridley, who appears in severe doubt for his side’s Round 1 clash against Hawthorn.
Ridley played the first three quarters of the Bombers’ Community Series clash against Geelong before being seen at three quarter-time with ice on his right quad.
The 25-year-old cut a devastated figure as he was consoled by teammates like Andrew McGrath and Jade Gresham
“If you look at the body language and teammates coming over giving him a pat on the head, that’s not a one or two-week injury,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.
“You’ve done all the hard work, you’re ready to go – and bang it happens on the eve of the season. That’s terribly unlucky for that man, but we hope it’s the best possible and shortest recovery.
“It’s going to be a tough few weeks for him mentally, but let’s hope he gets that recovery done to a tee and gets back as quickly as possible.”
Johnson added: “That’s why it’s tougher … because of what’s being shaped around him. Zach Reid showed some great signs tonight, Ben McKay coming in as well and all of a sudden he was going to be able to play that loose intercept-type game like when he won the best and fairest a few years ago.”
Ridley, Essendon’s 2020 best and fairest winner, missed the final month of the Bombers’ 2023 campaign after straining the same quad against the Western Bulldogs.
It was the sole sour note for the Bombers, who produced a much slicker and convincing performance against Geelong compared to their match simulation outing against St Kilda.
“Both teams would be very happy with where they’re at – except for the Bombers after the injury to Ridley, which is the main thing from a negative aspect of this game. But their performance from last week to this week is at a different level,” Johnson said.
“Both teams are set.”
1. ‘REALLY TOUGH’ BOMBERS SELECTION CONUNDRUM
Perhaps the biggest selection conundrum at Essendon this year surrounds its ruck stocks.
Sam Draper in recent seasons has proved he’s the No. 1 ruck at the club … when fit.
Draper remains in doubt for Round 1 after enduring an injury-interrupted pre-season due to a groin injury.
It means the free agency acquisition of 35-year-old Todd Goldstein now becomes so crucial.
And Goldstein on Friday night showed he could still have a significant impact at AFL level, finishing with 14 disposals, 10 contested possessions and five clearances to go with 21 hit-outs.
Mooney said the former Kangaroo looked “sharp”, while Johnson added Goldstein was “going to be a smart recruit for the Bombers”.
So when Draper is fit, can coach Brad Scott fit both him and Goldstein in the same side?
“It’s a big call in terms of two genuine ruckman. I’d probably think not … but it totally depends on Brad Scott’s philosophy and how many rucks they need,” Dunstall said.
“Goldy gets better the more time he spends on ball. He’ll work his way into a game, but he’s not going to be a burst ruckman off the bench. He needs to work his way into the game and use all his craft.”
Mooney added: “You’d need one of them to be a genuine forward to make it work. I don’t think Goldy is a real forward and I don’t think Draper is either. It’s going to be a really tough question for them.”
Fellow Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson Draper and the recently-retired Andrw Phillips played in the same side last year.
As for Goldstein himself, he reckons he and Draper can play a lot of footy together.
“Yeah definitely, I think so,” Goldstein told Fox Footy post-match. “He played really well with big ‘Flip’ last year and Nick Bryan is coming on really well. I think the three of us will play together at different times and I think we all add something slightly different.”
Recap Geelong vs Essendon in the blog below!
Discussion about this post