Twin hundreds power Essendon into a strong position against Melbourne

A maiden Premier Cricket century to Farzan Chowna and a 12th hundred for James Seymour powers Essendon into a strong position against Melbourne.

A maiden Premier Cricket century upstaged the stunning return of Essendon skipper James Seymour on Saturday.

Farzan Chowna hit an unbeaten 118 against reigning premier Melbourne at the Albert Ground, backing up Seymour’s 129, to power the Bombers to a first innings total of 4-374.

The 176-ball knock included 13 boundaries and betters his previous best of 84 against Carlton last season.

“Making a hundred against Melbourne at the Albert is almost the pinnacle I reckon,” coach Ben Fletcher said.

“Carlton at Princes Park is a hard task but there’s something prestigious about Melbourne at the Albert.”

James Seymour in action for Essendon. Picture: Hamish Blair

After getting a late call-up from Victoria to play Western Australia last week, Seymour returned to the Essendon line-up and smashed 18 boundaries and three sixes in his 162-ball stay.

The pair put on 127 for the third wicket and were well supported by Chris Williams (44 off 43 balls), Liam Molloy (35) and Aiden Salvado (28).

Despite wet weather in the lead-up, Fletcher said there was little hesitation in batting first.

“We knew it could have been dicey but if ever there’s a ground they can get up to a solid wicket it’s the Albert,” he said.

“When we got there we had a good chat and it was one of those decisions where we thought ‘if in doubt bat first’, it was still pretty hard underneath and it was the right decision in the end.”

Salvado top-scored with 50 on debut in the season-opening win over Northcote last week.

He and Seymour put on a 91-run opening stand before falling to former Western Australia quick David Moody (2-69).

Seymour and Chowna then took control, lifting Essendon to 1-218 before Seymour tickled one down the leg-side and was caught by Alex Buxton.

Chowna would be the backbone of the innings, one Fletcher believes can be his breakthrough performance.

“The thing about Fuz is he’s got minimal consistent modes of dismissal, which is a testament to how hard he’s worked to build his game,” Fletcher said.

“He’s quite a hard guy to get out and it was just a matter of him having a breakthrough innings.

“I was talking to Matty Inness via text and I said I think he’s going to be an elite player he just needs to get the first hundred under his belt because the first is always the hardest.

“I was so happy for him, a lot of people deserve it but he deserve it more than most because of how he works.”

Seymour returned from state duty, where he scored 10 as Victoria was crushed by Western Australia in a one-day match at the WACA.

Fletcher was in awe of his skipper.

“He’s so elite,” he said.

“I was around district cricket for 20 years and I haven’t seen many better than him.

“He’s such a pro, he scored 53 off 80 and then just accelerated after lunch and knocks out another 50 in 36 minutes and gets his hundred.

“He went out in a pretty freakish way and it was the first error he made, I thought he was going to make 250.

“The positive was – clearly everyone looks at Essendon and says get Seymour and you’re a chance – but there were some really good contributions – we don’t want to be Jim-centric.”

Essendon will look to defend its total on day two next Saturday.

The Bombers dismissed Northcote for 142 in Round 1 behind Nick McGuane’s 4-19 on debut.

However, Fletcher knows it will be much more difficult against Melbourne’s vaunted line-up.

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“It puts us in a good position – there’s a bit of whether coming next weekend – but we’re going to have to work really hard to get 10 wickets because it’s flat,” he said.

“The positive is we attacked late and gave ourselves a good enough score that they will try to chase down, they won’t shut up shop and surrender a draw in Round 2 – especially after losing the first game.

“By getting 370 it gives us two options, trying to strangle the game and attack, but we’re under no illusion we’re going to have to work really hard because it’s a beautiful batting wicket.”

Elsewhere, Carlton wrapped up first innings points against Footscray and Nathan Lambden (5-36) ripped through Greenvale Kangaroos to give Casey-South Melbourne a first innings win.