Jordan Ridley’s seamless return lifted the Bombers to a 12-point Dreamtime victory over Richmond, who defied a league-worst injury list to still be in contention in the dying stages of the game.
Essendon coach Brad Scott will embrace the selection headaches ahead after Jordan Ridley’s seamless return to the senior side and an impressive debut from prized draftee Nate Caddy.
The sole blemish for Essendon was Nik Cox’s hamstring injury, which caused him to be subbed out at quarter-time, with scans to confirm the extent of the damage.Richmond star Shai Bolton will miss next week’s clash with Geelong after copping a knee to the back of his head in an aerial contest, while defender Tylar Young suffered a suspected ACL rupture in the VFL.
“The way he played tonight – you can see why we just need to make sure that he’s absolutely right … if we brought him back , and he got hurt, then I’d never forgive myself,” Scott said.“ cleared him to play, but I made him wait another two weeks. There are very few players who can have a long layoff and just look like they haven’t missed a beat, and he’s one of those.
Caddy finished with 10 disposals, seven contested possessions, three free kicks and two behinds in a promising performance. “It’s the same with Zach Reid down back and Sam Draper in the ruck – they’re really good problems to have, and problems we didn’t have last year,” he said.post-match he battled jangling nerves throughout the week after earning his promotion but that it was a “surreal” experience, including the mountain of well-wishing text messages he received.The Tigers did not take it easy on him, with Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta and Nathan Broad all spending time on the Northern Knights product.
“I felt the pressure . I tried to bide my time in the VFL and put a good body of work together. I didn’t want to get handed a game either, so hopefully I can keep my spot, but if not, I’ll keep chugging away and whatever happens, happens, but I’m happy to get the first one out of the way.”
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