VFL: Essendon’s leaders showing the way as Bombers launch assault on top-four finish

ESSENDON coach Dan Jordan has lauded the impact of the club’s leaders as his side prepares to launch an assault on a top-four spot.

ESSENDON coach Dan Jordan has lauded the impact of the club’s leaders as his side prepares to launch an assault on a top-four spot.

Bombers VFL skipper Heath Hocking, vice-captain Aaron Heppell and fellow leadership group members Danny Younan and Nick Hind have featured prominently for the club this year, Jordan’s first in charge.

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Hocking was named VFL captain after his AFL career came to an end last season after 126 games.

Heppell has emerged as a leader in the past two years after winning Essendon’s VFL best and fairest in 2016, while small forward Younan is enjoying a career-best season and Hind has averaged more than 20 disposals.

Their efforts have put the Bombers in contention for the coveted double chance, which Jordan targeted at the start of the campaign.

“We have got a really tough back half of the year coming up,” Jordan said.

Heath Hocking has relished the task of being Essendon’s VFL captain. Picture: Chris Eastman.

“It was important to get a few wins up and then be able to get some form up to go into the back half of the year and test ourselves against some potential top-four sides.”

The Bombers tackle Casey Demons, Richmond, Werribee and Collingwood before their next bye in Round 17, with the three AFL-aligned clubs among the leading flag contenders.

Jordan said he had been buoyed by the development of defender Jamieson Sheahan, who joined Essendon from Bendigo club Strathfieldsaye.

Alex Boyse, Trent Crosbie, Jake McQueen and Nick Dixon are other VFL-listed players who have had opportunities to impress.

“I am always keen to try and give guys opportunities when they are playing well at local footy,” Jordan said.

“They are on the list for a reason, not just to make up numbers. We’ve had probably six or seven VFL debutants for Essendon which is great.”

Essendon has also been buoyed by the seamless transition of Matt Guelfi, Jordan Ridley and Mason Redman from the VFL to the club’s senior ranks.

“We try to play guys in a similar role and similar fashion to what they are going to play at AFL so it’s not foreign to them when they do eventually make the step up,” Jordan said.

The Bombers are third on the ladder after Round 12 thanks to a 9.11 (65) to 7.6 (51) victory over Box Hill Hawks on Sunday.

AFL-listed players Jordan Ridley (31 disposals), Kobe Mutch (23) and Dylan Clarke (23) impressed, while midfielder Nick Hind was brilliant with 27 possessions to continue an eye-catching year which has him on the radar of AFL clubs.