Watson full of praise for young Bombers

ESSENDON great Tim Watson is enamoured with what he is seeing from his old side this year.

The Bombers smashed North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon by 72 points and sit 11th on the ladder with four wins and a percentage of 105.

Their young list appears to be clicking under coach Ben Rutten and Watson was full of praise for what they have put together.

“You saw cohesion, you saw the framework of a game plan and that’s what has been missing at Essendon, something that’s sustainable,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.

“I know they only beat North Melbourne yesterday and North were really ordinary with the pressure on the ball yesterday, but it’s just the way (Essendon) is playing and the athleticism of their back six.

“We spoke about Jayden Laverde before, Jordan Ridley was fantastic again, Mason Redman has become a really good attacking defender, there’s a lot to like about them.

“They’re probably still a couple of years off, maybe next year they could make the eight, they’re still in the mix now actually.

“Darcy Parish has been in unbelievable form. Andrew McGrath, you know when you look at a team and love what you’re seeing because of the way the players are playing?

“The way they share the ball, McGrath is just fantastic. He never thinks about himself when he plays. He’s always thinking about what it is he needs to do for the team.

“When you have those young players and they become part of your leadership group from a very early age, you know you’re on the right track and the right direction.”

The Bombers have a tough fortnight ahead, taking on West Coast in Perth and then Richmond.

– BY NIC NEGREPONTIS/ SEN