AFL 2022: All the latest pre-season news and training notes from the Bombers
Essendon is facing a tough call on which trialists make the cut for its 2022 list after several impressed in the Bombers’ intraclub hitout. See who’s in contention.
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Essendon is experimenting with playing one of its best midfielders off half back to help spread the club’s midfield riches across the field.
The Bombers unveiled the plan at their intra club’s match on Wednesday when superstar ballwinners Zach Merrett and Andrew McGrath rotated through the rebounding role.
The pair’s dynamic run and slick delivery stood out with coach Ben Rutten determined to increase the flexibility and unpredictability of the Bombers’ side in 2022.
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Merrett is arguably Essendon’s most damaging and important player who could be moved to half back to help break any tag and add another slick ball user in the playmaking position.
The move helped make room for Darcy Parish and Jye Caldwell to star on Wednesday in a sign the Bombers could have one of the best midfields in the league this season.
Caldwell excelled on Wednesday after an injury-ravaged 2021 season and could be poised for a breakout year after Parish became one of the game’s best midfielders last season.
Dylan Shiel is also set to rejoin the group over the next fortnight and will also be rotated through the half forward line to add another star to the forward mix.
Assistant coach Dale Tapping said the Bombers were considering the move for the 2022 season.
“In pre-season what most clubs do is trial these things,” Tapping said.
“Both of them are so creative with their feet and their decision-making so they really set you up offensively when they do win the ball, so if you can get some ascendancy out of centre bounce they’re a threat to the opposition.
“We will continue to look at it and next week it might be something a little bit different.”
Essendon beat St Kilda for Caldwell’s services at the end of 2020, and paid two second-round draft picks for the man taken with selection No. 11 in 2018.
But he played only three games for the red and black last year amid a serious hamstring injury as part of a nightmare first year at Tullamarine.
However, Caldwell could not have been more impressive in the first half on Wednesday, adding to Rutten’s midfield stocks.
He showed hardness at the centre bounce and was polished with his disposal as Dyson Heppell played half back and wing and Nik Cox shone on the other wing.
Tapping said Caldwell, who rested in the second half, was a serious talent.
“(He’s) dynamic. I was certainly aware of him last year at Brisbane,” Tapping said.
“He’s an impressive player. He obviously missed a chunk of last year but he had a really good summer and again just on the side of caution in terms of building his program (he sat out the second half) but he’s in good shape.”
INTRA-CLUB HITOUT
Who starred?
Essendon could have a top-four midfield in 2022. Yes it’s been two decades since the Bombers won a final but there is no doubt the club is on the right track after three stars left the club one year ago. From what we saw on Wednesday, Jye Caldwell will add another A-Grade option to a unit already featuring Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Dylan Shiel, Andrew McGrath, Nik Cox, Dyson Heppell and wrecking ball Jake Stringer. Caldwell, a forgotten man last year, was outstanding and there is no chance Parish’s last season will be a one-hit wonder as the former Geelong Falcon was brilliant again with his vision and ball use and could add another gear to his running power. Ruckman Sam Draper was another to shine in the ruck as he attempts to establish himself as a top-line big man this year. Injury cruelled him last year as well but he has athleticism and an aggression that makes him one of the Bombers’ most important players and a clear leader.
Magnets moved
Aaron Francis has become an important piece for Essendon after switching forward last year. More than anything, he needs some continuity and luck with his body, but there were plenty of encouraging signs on Wednesday as he clunked a string of grabs on the lead and wedged in between two and three others. Francis hasn’t set the world on fire in his time at Tullamarine but with Jake Stringer down, Cale Hooker retired and Harry Jones coming back from injuries, Francis is a crucial marking target in 2022. He was clean alongside Peter Wright and all eyes are on Kaine Baldwin to see if he can establish himself in the best 22 after a strong summer. It’s a new look in attack but Ben Rutten wants to be unpredictable. Expect Archie Perkins to be prominent at ground level, while Devon Smith is sure to be a dangerous option in attack. Tex Wanganeen and Nick Martin, who booted four goals, are vying for list vacant list spots against hardened midfielder Dylan Clark. Martin had an outstanding day running hard from midfield to forward and regularly found himself in the right spot as the opportunity presented itself.
Recruit/draftees
Jake Kelly has not got the credit he has deserved in his career so far. But as Essendon tries to improve its defence once more, Kelly looks like one of the most astute additions of last year’s exchange period, just not as sexy in recruiting terms. He can play on the smalls and help release Jordan Ridley. Ben Hobbs was busy in the midfield on Wednesday but it would be a mammoth effort to break into the engine room for Round 1. He won his possession in space on Wednesday but is expected to graduate into more of an onballer at the top level in coming years. Garrett McDonagh has a lethal kick on him and looked dangerous going inside 50m. He can be used on either flank after he was plucked from the suburban ranks as a plumber last year. Gut feel he will play at some stage this year.
Round 1 bolters
Nick Martin is firmly in the frame after snagging four goals in a crafty and hard-running performance in the forward half on Wednesday. The former Subiaco forward is 190cm and impressed the Bombers’ chiefs with his running patterns and discipline and is ready-made. Ronald Fejo Jr was exciting early before fading in the second half, while Tex Wanganeen has serious talent as a busy small forward. The Bombers have two list spots open and will have more talks next week after the clash against Western Bulldogs. Michael Hurley is working his way back but faces an uphill battle to play another senior game.
Tippa returns as Dons hit track for intra-club
Essendon goalkicker Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has made a welcome return to training as he attempts to reignite his sparkling AFL career.
The popular forward was given time away from the club to deal with some personal issues in conjunction with a calf injury which had hampered his training and conditioning over summer.
But in a step forward, McDonald-Tipungwuti was one of the first to arrive at the club on Wednesday and trained solidly for about an hour before midfield jets Jye Caldwell and Darcy Parish starred in an intra-club match.
The Bombers are optimistic McDonald-Tipungwuti’s career is not over and that he can overcome the personal issues and regain top fitness on his way back to the top level.
The goal sneak faces a significant battle on the fitness front to regain match conditioning after battling some calf troubles before stepping away.
The 28-year-old watched on with teammates including injured stars Jake Stringer (groin) and Dylan Shiel (quad) as the Bombers played a two-hour scratch match at Tullamarine.
Parish and Caldwell were excellent in the engine room as Nick Martin shone in attack as he vies for one of the two vacant list spots alongside Tex Wanganeen and Dylan Clarke.
Wanganeen could provide some excitement in the forward half, while Clarke would offer some extra midfield depth in a season which could still be affected by Covid-19 absences.
Wanganeen looms as a potential replacement for McDonald-Tipungwuti but the son of Essendon and Port Adelaide champion Gavin is still a developing prospect.
Essendon chiefs are set to discuss the matter further next week ahead of the new season.
The Bombers are excited by their midfield stocks and Caldwell was impressive after an injury-ravaged 2021.
Superstar midfielders Zach Merrett and Andrew McGrath spent some time on half back in the intra-club as the Bombers consider rotating the pair through the defensive half in 2022.
McGrath and Merrett were both slick in the role and could add to the slick run and rebound game from the back half.
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