Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Battling Essendon cannot simply limp to the the finish line of their torrid AFL season, says interim coach Dean Solomon.
The Bombers (2-19) are fixed to the bottom of the AFL ladder and finish their campaign against red-hot Sydney, then Port Adelaide.
“We’ve got two weeks of footy left and we’ve got a lot to prove as a football club, as a team,” Solomon said after Saturday’s 67-point loss to Geelong.
“if anyone within our footy club or externally thinks that we’re just gonna try to sail to the finish line to get it done, it’s not the case.”
One of former Essendon coach James Hird, ex-Bomber and Sydney assistant coach Mark McVeigh, Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham or Murray Davis will soon win the Bombers’ vacant fulltime coaching job.
Solomon didn’t throw his hat in the ring but still wants improvement.
Essendon gave up the first 10 goals of the game against Geelong but fought back after halftime.
“The goal for next week is not to have the first half look like that,” Solomon said.
“We’ve got to be much more competitive than that.
“… The Sydney Swans are a bloody good team. They’re flying at the moment, they’re coming to Melbourne and they’re about to launch into their finals campaign.”
Ruckman Vigo Visentini, 20, played his first game all year and impressed with 33 hitouts and 17 disposals.
“Vigo comes in tonight and shows what he’s potentially capable of as well,” Solomon said.
“I’m not fluffing about when I say this young group … the next 40 or 60 games of development, post that, this thing could go north.
“Vigo’s going to be a big part of that.”
Zach Merrett, widely expected to seek a trade away from Essendon for a second consecutive year, continued his hot form with a hard-nosed 29 disposals and eight clearances against Geelong.
“Zach has been incredible for me. I know it’s probably selfish to talk about me, but … the support he’s given me, he’s been incredible,” Solomon said.
“His attitude has not wavered, he’s heavily driven to finish the season really well with this group.
“So I can’t speak highly enough of what he’s given us within the four walls. There might be opinions outside of the footy club, but the man’s got a lot of pride in his performance and he showed it again tonight.
“He’s an absolute champion of this football club and always will be.”
