Bombers expected to challenge in 2019
The Essendon Bombers have endured a tougher few years than many clubs in the AFL, but the tide appears to have turned as we head into 2019.
Following a sensational end to last season in which they shot up the ladder only narrowly missing out on reaching the finals, the Bombers are being tipped as one of the main contenders for grand final glory next season. After 14 years without winning a final, with Gold Coast the only other team not to win a final during that time, Essendon are now being labelled as one of the favourites for premiership glory in 2019.Â
There are a number of reasons why confidence is high surrounding the Bombers, not least the arrival of Dylan Shiel on a huge six-year contract, adding to a roster that already included the likes of Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad from last summer. When you look at this roster, it’s not hard to see why the Bombers will start the new season with odds as short as 10/1 with some bookies over on Oddschecker, and those odds could be even more tempting if Essendon enjoy a decent start to the season.Â
Perhaps the biggest boost to head coach John Worsfold this off-season, though, will be the return to the field of All-Australian key forward Joe Daniher. The 24-year old enjoyed an incredible season in 2017, earning best and fairest honours after slotting 65 goals in a breakout campaign. Last season was a very different year for Daniher, though, making only seven appearances in 2018 after struggling with osteitis pubis throughout the year. The key forward’s absence resulted in Mitch Brown, Shaun McKernan and James Stewart all being forced to play out of position at times.Â
Daniher’s return is also expected to free up a number of players, not least Jake Stringer, who struggled during his first season as a Bomber. And with Shiel in the engine room, skipper Dyson Heppell and star midfielder Zach Merrett should be given a bit more freedom to do what they do best, and Essendon’s squad is looking a whole lot more capable heading into the new season than they did at this point last year.Â
If it hadn’t of been for a slow start to the season last year, losing seven of their opening 11 games, the Bombers would likely have been there or thereabouts last season. Worsfold will now be trying to ensure his team burst out of the traps in 2019, and if they do, they will be the team to watch.
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Source: Matchday Frolics
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