Bombers to ramp up defensive pressure in attacking style

ESSENDON will back its forwards to play to their strengths in 2018 but midfielders Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis and skipper Dyson Heppell are likely to be used inside-50 to complement its weapons.

The Bombers are spending four days on the Bellarine Peninsula tuning their game ahead of next week’s inaugural AFLX series and JLT matches against Richmond and Geelong, with match simulation drills focusing on contested ball and offensive and defensive pressure.

It is an area Essendon will look to improve on, having finished the 2017 season ranked 15th for tackles inside-50 and 14th for tackles overall.

Richmond’s premiership last year came on the back of relentless pressure inside-50 and opposition teams have already hinted they will alter how they play to keep pace.

But forward coach Paul Corrigan said it was important the Bombers did not go too far mimicking the Tigers.

“I think you have to look at your own list and your strengths and what works for you. It’s very easy to sit there and copy and try to emulate what teams have done before,” Corrigan said.

“You probably look at different things and take out certain aspects of what they’ve done but I still think you have to look at your core mix and what you’re doing with them and work on those strengths and make sure that you’re evolving the guys you’ve got.

The JLT series matches against the Tigers and the Cats will provide Essendon with the perfect chance to implement changes to its game plan.