Essendon determined to make most of Premier finals second chance
After being saved by a St Kilda miracle, Essendon is determined not to let its season end on a sour note as it prepares to take on arch-rival Carlton in a Premier Cricket elimination final.
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Essendon’s finals close shave has given it added motivation as it prepares for a sudden-death elimination final against arch-enemy Carlton.
The Bombers’ season remains alive thanks to a miracle batting performance by St Kilda’s Adam Crosthwaite and Will Lovell.
The Saints fought out a draw against Dandenong on Saturday, denying the Panthers a victory that would have knocked Essendon out of the top eight.
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Having survived, Bombers skipper Michael Hill said the club was determined to make the most of its second chance.
“To be honest, I left Windy Hill thinking that was season over but old mate Crossy held on for us,” he said.
“Some things haven’t gone our way with the weather this season but we got some luck (on Saturday).
“The boys are really excited to get out there, we weren’t ready for the season to end.
“We’re going to be as positive as ever in the way we play, the way we train and the way we go about it.”
Essendon crushed Carlton by eight wickets in a one-day clash back in Round 1.
Hill said last season’s preliminary final exit at the hands of the reigning premier was also a motivating factor.
“We’ve had some good battles with them over the journey,” he said.
“We knocked them off earlier in the year but they got us in finals last year.
“Whenever we play Carlton, no matter the end result, it’s always a hard-fought game.”
The Bombers will look to erase a horror final-round loss to Monash Tigers as it was bowled out for a measly 85.
Paceman Matt Doric’s 300th wicket in his 150th Premier Cricket match was a lone bright spot in the loss.
Doric finished the season as the Bombers leading wicket-taker with 33 scalps after claiming match figures of 9-103.
James Seymour finished the regular rounds as the club’s leading run-scorer, his 666 runs at an average of 47 good enough for second in the competition.
In more good news for the Bombers, star batsman Aaron Ayre will return but paceman Tom O’Donnell is racing the clock to prove his fitness after a back complaint.
“(Tom) keeps telling me 20 wickets at 10 this year,” Hill said.
“He’s an outstanding player and outstanding guy to have in our team, so no doubt he’ll be doing everything he can to get up this week.”