The player who has Melbourne back in town, Hawkins left hungry again, Essendon learn to play like Merrett, and don’t argue with this comparison.
Tom McDonald was critical to Melbourne’s premiership win in 2021 after his late-career move to centre half- forward.
So McDonald and Ben Brown, the double act of three years ago and who have both struggled in recent years, were forced to find a new role. True, Cameron helped McDonald in this with his two shockers in front of goal in the last quarter. If Cameron had kicked those, the conversation around his, and therefore McDonald’s, influence would probably be quite different. But he didn’t. Cameron’s second shot in particular that almost missed his boot and went sideways was just bizarre from one of the most reliable set shots for goal.Then again, Melbourne in this game well knew the pain of wasted goalkicking.
Melbourne look different and better for McDonald moving back – and the addition of a couple of players. The off-season trading into the draft’s top 10 with Caleb Windsor in mind was clever targeting of a player who complemented perfectly what they already had. After Harley Reid, Windsor is performing as well as any first-year draftee. He stood against Cameron on the wing in periods on Saturday night and was not bowed by it.
Some teams form themselves in the image of their star player – Wayne Carey’s North Melbourne was probably the best example.Zach Merrett has long been Essendon’s best player and latterly their captain. But he played his game and Essendon played their game and while the two found a connection it was not his team; it did not resemble him.The arrival of Brad Scott as coach has teased out more in Merrett’s game the more that Scott has been able to put his fingerprints on the wider Essendon.
He is a player that fits with Merrett’s style of midfield and why Essendon look better. Merrett’s game isn’t just energy. His intelligence and skill was the difference between Essendon winning a game and keeping not just finals but even top four alive.No arguments here
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