Bombers welcome Scott’s high AFL standards

Essendon gamers have welcomed a stronger path below new coach Brad Scott as they try to maneuver on from a turbulent low season and escape the AFL doldrums.

Coach Ben Rutten misplaced his job after final season’s Fifteenth-placed end, whereas the Bombers had vital board upheaval earlier than appointing skilled mentor Scott.

In the meantime, an exterior evaluate discovered Essendon’s soccer division has lacked unity and their gamers have not been match sufficient.

Midfielder Archie Perkins performed down discuss of a very demanding pre-season however mentioned Scott was setting much-needed excessive requirements.

“He is made certain that everybody’s within the mindset that we’re able to get right here and get caught in and work onerous,” Perkins advised reporters on Monday.

“He will drive some actually sturdy requirements, which I feel we want as a gaggle. So everybody’s prepared for that. That is what we want as a gaggle, to be sincere.

“So at occasions, we would have felt we weren’t certain what path we have been heading in. However now, Brad’s been actually clear that it is going to be a number of deal with improvement and it is going to be a very sturdy pathway to observe.”

Solely first-to-fourth 12 months gamers have been required at Monday’s coaching however most senior Bombers have been available, together with Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, Andrew McGrath, Darcy Parish and Jake Stringer.

Perkins insisted Essendon did not have some extent to show however revealed gamers had been driving unofficial periods at Tullamarine.

“You all the time wish to begin properly, however I do not assume we’ll have the mentality of going on the market to show folks fallacious,” he mentioned.

“We’re simply gonna get on the market and prepare onerous this pre-season after which get what we deserve.

“There is a huge turnout right here and there is been a giant turnout at some trainings for the final month.

“With the brand new coach and all of the change, a number of the senior boys have been eager to get caught in.”

Recruits Sam Weideman and Will Setterfield have been joined by Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, again from his short-lived retirement.

“It was fairly upsetting when he left. He is such a lovable man,” Perkins mentioned.

“So to see him come again, I feel we’re all excited to see what he can do.”

Mid-season draft sensation Massimo D’Ambrosio welcomed his first AFL pre-season.

“Heading into the again finish of video games, particularly at AFL stage, I felt a bit unfit,” he mentioned.

“So I feel a full pre-season will get me going and hopefully I will play just a few extra video games subsequent 12 months.”