Pleased as punch: Skipper Dyson Heppell celebrates with Orazio Fantasia and David Myers.
Photo: Wayne Ludbey
Essendon and North Melbourne produced an entertaining 35-goal clash at Etihad Stadium on Sunday yet their respective coaches said that should not deter the AFL from looking at possible changes to improve the game.
The Dons win was their fifth in six games and they remain in the hunt for a finals spot ahead of a meeting with second-placed Collingwood next Sunday at the MCG.
Even though the Bombers mid-season surge has kept their September dream alive, coach John Worsfold said his club was focused on internal improvement rather than measuring themselves against a top-four team.
North have dropped out of the eight ahead of a meeting with lowly Gold Coast at Etihad next Sunday. Forward Mason Wood is set to miss several weeks after injuring his hamstring in the final quarter.
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Tagger Ben Jacobs missed a second consecutive game with concussion after being a late withdrawal but Roos coach Brad Scott said Jacobs was on an upward curve, hopeful he would return to face the Suns.
Scott said Jacobs would likely have headed to star Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett, who ended up starring with 32 disposals. Scott refused, however, to attribute the defeat on Jacobs absence.
Caught on the hop: Brad Scott's North Melbourne have dropped out of the eight after their round 15 loss to Essendon.
Photo: AAP
Worsfold said the high-scoring nature of the game wasnt necessarily the way he wanted things to pan out.
The premiership coach agreed that the game had been exciting, continuing what had been a high-scoring round, but said that didnt mean the AFL shouldnt continue to consider rule changes in a bid to improve the look of the game.
“That was an exciting game of footy,” Worsfold said.
Open mind: Bombers coach John Worsfold welcomes AFL moves to improve the game.
Photo: AAP
“There were maybe five goals that will be [feaatured] in the goals of the season and things
like that, some big marks. It was pretty exciting.
But Worsfold said the AFL should not be put off looking at ways to improve the game. The centre square was a diamond and before it was a diamond it was nothing, he said.
I assume there was outcry. But I think its been good for the game. [So] dont have your head in the sand and say because of whats always been, thatll always be the best way.
Im open to exploring change, but very considered change. And generally the change is best on a practice field. So have a look at things first to see what the unintended consequences might be.
Scott concurred, saying the game hadnt been as open as perhaps the scoreboard suggested.
Both teams were still able to manipulate numbers around the contest and behind the ball. So if you take away that option from a coaching group, potentially a lot more games look like it did today, Scott said.
So I think its really worth looking at. I think AFL footy is the best game in the world. Ive seen a lot of world sport. Im biased obviously but I think our game is fantastic, but we shouldnt stop looking at ways to make it better.
Worsfold said despite the Dons improved form, little had changed internally at Tullamarine, although acknowledged his players were understanding his message better.
Dyson Heppell (34 possessions) and Zach Merrett (32) were huge for Essendon with Merrett finishing with 12 clearances.
Daniel is an Age sports reporter.
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