Historically, the first week under a caretaker coach typically produces an improvement in performance from the previous week. Whether that results in a win or just an increase in performance varies from case to case, but Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade is expecting an improved Essendon outfit under interim coach Matthew Egan.
The Bombers parted ways with favourite son James Hird on Tuesday after a tumultuous period in the club’s history that culminated with a humiliating 112-point loss to Adelaide last Saturday – the tenth loss in Essendon’s last 11 appearances.
Despite Essendon’s poor season, Eade is adamant the wheels haven’t fallen off at the True Value Solar Centre and although they have endured a poor period in recent weeks, the veteran mentor says the Bombers can get the jump on sides early in games.
“It’s mainly business as usual. I think the only thing we’ve spoken about is when a coaching change is made, there’s generally a spike in performance,” Eade told SUNS TV on Thursday afternoon.
“So we expect them to play a little bit differently, probably freed up a little bit more.
“Certainly their first quarters have been very good. A month ago they only just lost to Port Adelaide. Their last three weeks have been down for them, but they’re a proud club with a lot of history. So we expect it will be a tough contest.”
Jesse Lonergan’s transition back into the midfield in the last month has seen him handed a series of difficult run-with roles against some of the best ball winners in the competition.
The big-bodied midfielder spent the first half of the year across half back as Eade continues to expand his football education, with the next phase of his schooling back in the area of the ground where he cuts his teeth in. He nullified Trent Cotchin last week in the Richmond captain’s 150th game, and has recently been handed jobs on Tom Rockliff, Matt Priddis and Scott Thompson.
Eade revealed that the instruction to Lonergan wasn’t to apply a hard tag, rather to lock down at stoppages before working off his direct opponent. The seasoned coach says he has seen a gradual improvement in the Tasmanian throughout 2015 and believes Lonergan should take a lot of confidence into next year.
“(On) Cotchin last week he was very good wasn’t he? I thought he did extremely well,” Eade said.
“It wasn’t a real hard tag, mainly at stoppages as a starting point. Because he’s playing on very good players they’re going to take him to the ball. He backs himself in those situations.
“His pressure around the ball’s been very good, and because he’s got a bigger body as well, he’s got an ability to get out of the stoppage. We’ve seen incremental improvement every week for Jesse.
“Hopefully it gives him enough confidence to finish the season off well and he can head into next year with the thought and confidence that he can be in our best 22.”
