Essendon coach Brad Scott leaves Brisbane a happy man after leading reigning premiers in final quarter
Scary thoughts of a blowout loss in Brisbane were put to bed by an injury-ravaged Essendon outfit, leaving coach Brad Scott beaming.
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Essendon coach Brad Scott says the Bombers took a “huge step forward” at the Gabba on Thursday night despite an 18-point loss to Brisbane that defied pre-game thoughts of doom and gloom for his injury-ravaged club.
Scott lauded superstar draftee Nate Caddy, declaring his two-goal effort against the Lions was the “best game he’s played” and left the Gabba happy in the wake of defeat.
Trailing by 32 points at quarter-time, the undermanned Bombers clawed their way into the contest and hit the front in the final quarter.
However, the Lions regrouped, kicking the final three goals of the game to win 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72).
“They were dominant clearly to start the game and jumped us, but I thought we wrestled our way back into the contest really well,” Scott said.
“It wasn’t as if I felt like we let it slip. We fought our way back in, got back in front, and they responded as good teams do.”
Scott was proud of his young team’s “fight” and “exuberance”.
“It was a huge step forward for us in terms of everything – character, fight, effort, contest, the exuberance of youth, young players who don’t use that as an excuse,” he said.
“We have expectations. We think those players that we selected are capable and that’s been our message to them, and they held up their end of the bargain.
“There were a number of critical contests where our players stood up, but to Brisbane’s credit, they’re a good side, and when challenged, they respond.
“We were able to defend reasonably well but not well enough over the course of the game to be considered a top-tier side, but if you’re going to test out your defence, playing against Brisbane at the Gabba is a good way to do that.
“The foundation of the game is the contest, and I think that that stood up fairly well tonight.”
The Bombers also stood up well in attack, particularly in the third quarter when Caddy kicked a contender for goal of the season during an impressive burst that gave the Bombers hope of causing an upset.
“That’s the best game I’ve seen him play and not just because of the goal over his head,” Scott said of Caddy.
“He’s going to learn that he’s capable of challenging the best key defenders (Harris Andrews) in the competition.
“He’s just a really impressive athlete, and he can do things that others can’t.
“There’s not many 19-year-olds who can, when Peter Wright’s in the ruck and Todd Goldstein’s having a well-earned rest, he’s holding up, you know, a forward line.
“I can’t recall too many 19-year-olds doing that. He’s been terrific for us, and we still think there’s so much upside, so clearly we’re excited.”
Originally published as Essendon coach Brad Scott leaves Brisbane a happy man after leading reigning premiers in final quarter
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