Former Port Adelaide midfielder Will Snelling will make his Essendon debut after outstanding VFL form following mid-season draft
It’s been more than 1000 days since his first, and only, AFL game but in a South Australian homecoming, mid-season draftee Will Snelling will make his Essendon debut against Adelaide.
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Eight weeks after being given an AFL-lifeline in the mid-season draft — and 1056 days after his first, and only, game at the top-level — former Power-listed midfielder Will Snelling will make his Essendon debut against the Crows on Friday night.
The 21-year-old, who was plucked by the Bombers after a terrific first half of the year for West Adelaide in the SANFL, will be named in the 22 for the trip to Adelaide Oval.
It’s reward for the tough, 176cm Snelling who has impressed in his first six VFL matches after moving interstate.
Playing through the midfield and across half-forward, Snelling has averaged 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions and four tackles — all numbers which rate elite — per game.
In the past two rounds alone, Snelling, who made his debut for Port Adelaide against Gold Coast in Round 23, 2016, has amassed 54 disposals and 20 tackles
The numbers, however, should come as little surprise with the Bombers swooping at No. 7 in May’s mid-season draft after Snelling’s outstanding start to the SANFL season.
In his final four matches for the Bloods, Snelling averaged 36 disposals and 13 tackles.
Against Sturt in Round 7, his last appearance before the draft, Snelling tallied 33 disposals, 16 tackles and seven clearances.
And his ability to hit the ground running at Tullamarine has seen his name in the selection frame for the past fortnight.
But the form of Essendon’s midfield meant Snelling, who lives with fellow mid-season draftee and Round 17 Collingwood debutant John Noble, has had to bide his time — until now.
“It’s amazing how it works out. We really need him to come into the team this week, he’s in really good form and it happens to be in Adelaide,” Worsfold told the club’s website.
“It’s wonderful for him, we’re really excited.
Player No. 1161 to don the sash.
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) July 18, 2019
Give 'em hell, Will 👊 pic.twitter.com/URnVlK31sw
After 20 disposals and 11 tackles in tough conditions last week, Snelling will get his chance in front of his hometown crowd in the crucial top-eight clash with Adelaide.
“He’s really clean when he uses the ball, particularly in the wet conditions, which was evident on the weekend. His pressure as well — 11 tackles is a great result in terms of someone who is playing that role.” VFL coach Dan Jordan said on the club’s website following the Round 15 victory over North Melbourne.
“If he keeps bringing these sorts of numbers, he can definitely keep knocking down the door for AFL selection.”
Originally published as Former Port Adelaide midfielder Will Snelling will make his Essendon debut after outstanding VFL form following mid-season draft
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