Liam Molloy hits third 50 in eight days as Essendon thump Dandenong
Liam Molloy hit his third straight half century and Ryan Stingel scored his maiden 50 to guide Essendon to a thumping win over Dandenong.
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Essendon coach Ash Cavigan believes his young players are starting to own their team after routing Dandenong on Saturday.
Youngsters Ryan Stingel and Liam Molloy and spinner Liam Bowe were at the heart of the Bombers’ thumping 150-run bonus-point win at Windy Hill.
Stingel’s run-a-ball 63 was his maiden Premier Cricket half century, while stand-in captain Molloy scored 51 – his third 50 in eight days – to guide the home team to 7-241.
Bowe then claimed 4-24 and together with Molloy (2-18) and James O’Donnell (2-26) dismissed the Panthers for just 91.
Cavigan is starting to see the next generation start to take control.
“We’re starting to see little bits of reward from those young guys. They’re starting to settle and build the team together,” he said.
“Stinger, that’s by far his best innings for us.
“He’s been building towards it, he’s hopefully starting to settle in now, he’s got some continuity in that four-five position.
“Liam’s had a good week, three fifties in a week, he’s getting better and better and he captained the side as well. He’s doing that No.6 role really well for us.
“The best part was they just played to their strengths … hit the gaps, pressure the fielders, and that’s great for the team to see when we do get it right it works.
“James O’Donnell got another good 28 following on from 50 last week, Musa Hussain has been a really good find for us with the ball and (James) Ryan looked better at the top.”
Molloy has been in red-hot form since the Christmas break.
The all-rounder scored 55 against Casey-South Melbourne in the first game back and 52 in the T20 Super Slam against Greenvale Kangaroos.
Cavigan was rapt with his development as a leader this season.
“Seymour and O’Donnell, we knew Jim would miss a few games and Tom was unavailable, so the opportunity came up,” Cavigan said.
“Hilly has done a few games but with Liam in really good form and he’s been captaining our T20 team, so we thought it was a good opportunity to keep developing Liam and the spread within the team.
“He and Liam Bowe have really stepped up.”
All of Essendon’s top seven batsmen reached 19 and every bowler picked up at least one wicket.
Hussain made the perfect start with the ball removing Dandenong star Tom Donnell with the ninth ball of the innings for one.
Bowe then wrapped up the tail to take his season tally to 15 wickets, equal third in the competition and the best of all spinners.
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Of Saturday’s XI, O’Donnell, Farzan Chowna, Connor Poulton and Hussain all debuted this season, as has Nathan Shoesmith, while Ryan, Stingel and Nick Gladman have played fewer than 23 First XI matches.
Essendon are hoping reinforcements arrive for Saturday’s clash with undefeated ladder-leader St Kilda at the Harry Trott Oval.
Vice-captain Tom O’Donnell is expected to return while captain James Seymour could return from Melbourne Renegades duties and Cam McClure from injury.
It would be a timely boost for the 14th-placed Bombers ahead of a blockbuster clash against the Saints.
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