John Worsfold says Essendon’s win over Gold Coast helping sell future to banned Bombers

JOHN Worsfold says Essendon’s stunning win over Gold Coast on Sunday is help sell future success to the five banned players who are yet to commit to the club.

Essendon coach John Worsfold with Jake Long after the game. Picture: George Salpigtidis

ESSENDON is selling its bright plans for future success to the five players who are yet to commit to returning to the club from their drug bans.

Coach John Worsfold revealed the players have been actively asking questions about the club’s direction, which have been answered with “strong feedback in a positive way”.

A thrilled Worsfold heaped praise on his courageous young team after its shock six-point win over Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium.

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The Bombers recorded 25 fewer inside 50s but slotted five consecutive goals at Etihad Stadium to surge over the Suns by six points.

Players and fans erupted into emotional celebrations on the siren as the Bombers snapped their 17-game losing streak – the longest in club history.

The Dons remain one win and three per cent behind Brisbane Lions and on track to secure the coveted No.1 draft pick for the first time.

Essendon players celebrate on the final siren on Sunday.

The day was sweetened with an upset VFL win against flag favourite Williamstown and handed best-afield Zach Merrett a satisfying victory in his debut as captain.

Merrett became the third youngest Essendon leader in history although regular skipper Brendon Goddard expects to return from a groin injury against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney will celebrate his 250th match against his old side in that match.

Essendon great Michael Long’s son Jake set up a Joe Daniher goal in his first game in a heartwarming moment for the crowd of 16,622.

Bombers premiership player Adam Ramanauskas noted: “Long looks like he’s got his dad’s pace and acceleration”.

“He’s got a quiet aggression about him.”

Worsfold admitted he thought Long was “just a skinny kid” when he arrived but credited the wingman for his tireless work preparing his body for the demands of AFL.

“Early in the game Jake Long put a really big, hard crunching tackle on,” Worsfold said.

The Bombers will farewell their 10 top-up players in two weeks and are still chasing answers on 2017 from Jobe Watson, Michael Hurley, Michael Hibberd, Tayte Pears and Ben Howlett.

Pears is tipped to join the fire brigade while Hibberd and Hurley are being heavily courted by rivals.

Asked if Sunday’s result would help the Dons’ chances of retaining their guns, Worsfold said: “Let’s make the assumption they’re all over the line anyway, so we don’t need that help”.

“I’m very confident they know the way we’re positioning this footy club to go forward.

Essendon players sing the song after beating Gold Coast.

“They’re not just sitting back guessing, they’re asking questions, which they should, and I’m sure they’re getting pretty strong feedback in a positive way.”

Worsfold told his players to be brave at the last change and they quickly piled on four goals on the back of lethal ball movement through the centre.

“You can’t underestimate how tough it was to win that game,” Worsfold said.

“Not only for the stage of the year we’re at, we had our captain (Goddard) and our vice-captain (Mark Baguley) out injured.

“For the youth to step up and have the courage to take the game on like they did, that’s what really stands out for us.

“They (supporters) probably didn’t come here expecting to win, I reckon they come every week with some hope. I hope they enjoyed that win, that’s my hope

“It’s a massive pat on the back for our conditioning staff (and) our players, the way they’ve continued to prepare themselves physically and mentally to play out the season.

“Spirits have been great all year, that’s a real credit to the group. We haven’t had to find a way to lift their spirits, their focus has been to learn and improve.”

Originally published as John Worsfold says Essendon’s win over Gold Coast helping sell future to banned Bombers