3 minute read

Essendon will head into round one following an undefeated AFL pre-season campaign after downing Geelong by four points at Colac on Monday.

Darcy Parish has booted three third-quarter goals to help Essendon hold off Geelong by four points and end their AFL pre-season campaign undefeated.

The Bombers blew the game open with a blistering burst to begin the second half, after a scrappy second term, to eventually prevail 9.11 (65) to 9.7 (61) in Colac on Monday.

Parish caught fire after halftime, with the midfielder capitalising on the Bombers' 20 inside-50s during the third quarter as the lead blew out to 25 points.

The lacklustre Cats came to life in the final term, but left their run too late as the Bombers added to their other pre-season victory against West Coast.

Parish wasn't the only Essendon player to boot three majors, with former GWS and Richmond goalsneak Jacob Townsend hitting the scoreboard for the first time at his new club.

Michael Hurley was a rock in defence, while midfielders Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Parish and unheralded Brandon Zerk-Thatcher were among the Bombers' best.

Dynamic forward Jake Stringer (personal reasons) was a late withdrawal for Essendon, while Irishman Conor McKenna lined up in the curtain-raiser VFL game.

Essendon assistant coach Blake Caracella said the Bombers had plenty of options ahead of playing Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on March 21.

"We've played three games but we'll still probably shuffle the team around for the first half of the season to find our best team," he said.

"We've got some players who can compete, you don't want to be outmarked but we're still managing to kick a winning score."

The Cats have some work to do before their round one clash with GWS after being smashed by wooden spooners Gold Coast two weeks ago.

But a bright spot for the Cats was the appearance of former St Kilda star Jack Steven.

The four-time Saints best-and-fairest impressed in his first outing for Geelong, starting the game in the middle and finishing with 25 possessions.

"He's going to be quite a significant player for us," Cats assistant coach Matthew Knights said.

"Getting a quality player like that, who's got experience, score on the board with how he plays; as a midfield coach I'm pumped to have him."

Cats small forward Gryan Miers was lively and finished with three majors, while Patrick Dangerfield starred with 33 disposals.