Essendon duo Dylan Clarke and Jordan Ridley will finally make their Bombers debuts this weekend, after coach John Worsfold announced their inclusions at training on Wednesday.
The pair have been impressing in the VFL over recent weeks, and Worsfold told the playing group they were changes that just had to be made
โThe forced changes are the forced because of the form of Clarkey and Riddles, theyโre coming into the team,โ Worsfold told the players at training.
Clarke has especially impressed in the reserves, and has been one of the best players in the VFL so far this season.
Young Bomber Dylan Clarke top of the VFL charts for disposals (164 from five matches) and hard-ball gets (33), second for contested possessions (79) and third for tackles (43). Heโs taking to the Essendon selectorsโ door with a sledgehammer.
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) May 14, 2018
Clarke spoke to essendonfc.com.au on Wednesday, and was thrilled to finally be given an opportunity to play senior football.
โThe messages from the coaches and the senior players (was) just, โkeep putting your head down and regardless of the result in the ones just force them to choose youโ,โ Clarke said.
โSo I think we both went our own way a bit in terms of just putting our heads down and getting the work done, so I think we should both be pretty proud of how weโve been playing.
โTo get rewarded on me and Ridsโ form in the VFL is really positive, so we both feel pretty good at the moment and weโre hoping to have a good impact on Saturday.โ
Ridley also spoke about making his first senior appearance, and is excited he's finally off the emergencies list.
โItโs been a little bit frustrating the last few weeks being an emergency a few times, but itโs finally good to break through,โ Ridley said.
โItโs something weโve all been aspiring to work towards, so especially to share it with such a great mate is an unreal feeling.โ
