Why one coach isn’t buying Bombers in the finals

FORMER AFL coach Brenton Sanderson has detailed why he doesn’t see Essendon as a contender this season.

The Bombers have defied expectations in Brad Scott’s first season at the helm, firmly entrenched in the finals hunt.

However, Sanderson has his eye on several key areas that lead him to believe the Bombers don’t stack up among the rest of the eight.

“I said it a few weeks ago and I was probably the first person that sort of said I just don’t like Essendon’s profile,” he told SEN Mornings.

“They’re a really high disposal side, they’re the number one marking team in the competition, they’re fifth in disposals but they’re 15th in inside 50s.

“So they share the ball around, but they don’t generate enough inside 50s.”

That’s’ led Sanderson on to his second worry: the Bombers’ stoppage game.

“They’re ranked last in clearances this year,” he said. “[Darcy] Parish and [Zach] Merrett are both having excellent seasons, but even last week, the Dockers outscored Essendon by 40 points from stoppage.

“That’s a concern for me as well, their ability to win stoppage and clearance against the good sides.”

Essendon’s issues also extend to the defensive side of the ball, with the Bombers ranking poorly when it comes to tackling.

“The other thing that concerns me is that they’re ranked 16th for tackles, so even last week against the Dockers, they had 69 tackle attempts for only 35 tackles,” Sanderson said.

“Thirty-five tackles is a really low number, that’s just over one per player in the game, their tackle efficiency rate was around 50 per cent.

“They can’t find a way to pressure when it really matters, they can’t win contest and clearance against the good sides, and they’re a high-possession side that doesn’t generate inside 50s.”

While Sanderson detailed plenty of reasons why he isn’t sold on the Bombers, he is impressed by their rise this year.

“I love what they’re doing this year, I think Brad Scott’s appointment has been excellent, the stability around the club and they’re fun to watch,” he said.

“I just don’t think they’re going to be a finals contender, just with the current profile they’ve got.”

– JACK MAKEHAM/ SEN