

Jason Ashby (27 possessions) and Travis Colyer (28 possessions) were also impressive through the midfield providing important delivery for the key forwards.



Winderlich played just three quarters up forward and is expected to spend another week in the VFL to regain full match fitness before making the step up into the seniors.





"I've been slowly building up over the last three weeks of training. Half a game last week, three quarters tonight and hopefully a full game next week," Winderlich said.





"It is such a long year, I wasn't expected to play all 22 games and final this season if we get there."





"I want to be playing football at the end of the year instead of jamming in games now and breaking down later."





"I have limits into how much I am allowed to run, I'll try to manage it out into four quarters next week across half forward. There's a lot of unpredictability coming back into seniors as the sub. If I could wait until the last half then come on it would be perfect but it doesn't work like that, so I am happy to get more match practice in the VFL."







"He can play VFL for the next ten weeks," Skipworth joked after the game.



“Playing three quarters and kicking eight goals made him easily best on ground. Coach Hayden Skipworth said Winderlich’s performance was remarkable to watch.





Skipworth praised the performance of the young brigade for the Bombers in particular Ashby.



“It was excellent Joe Daniher played really well as did Jason Ashby and Marty Gleeson are all playing really well at the moment,” he said.



“For Jason to get nearly 30 touches across the midfield and half back was a great effort.”







Scott Gumbleton and Joe Daniher both looked dangerous up forward taking a number of strong marks and setting up the play across half forward.



Daniher finished with 11 marks and four goals while Gumbleton managed to bag three goals.



Tayte Pears was important across half back shutting down Bendigo’s forward thrusts with ease finishing with nine marks and 25 disposals.



“We take the four points and percentage but it also gives the boys a lot of confidence as we are up against a tough team in Box Hill next game.”



“I saw yesterday that they have the caliber of Brian Lake and Luke Hodge playing so it gives us a lot of confidence going into our first home game at Windy Hill.”



Essendon is now set to return to Windy Hill next Saturday afternoon to take on the Box Hill Hawks.



Essendon 23.9.147

Bendigo 8.9.57





Goal kickers: Winderlich 8, Daniher 4, Gumbleton 3, Dell’Olio 2, O’Brien 2, Duscher, Kavanagh, Hunter, Gleeson.





Best: Winderlich, Jetta, Ashby, Lovett-Murray, Pears, Colyer, Gleeson.