Although Essendon forward Michael Hurley stole the headlines with a six-goal haul, Bombers coach James Hird says the lion-hearted spirit of captain Jobe Watson was just as crucial in his team’s 24-point AFL win over Fremantle on Saturday night.
Watson was well held by Ryan Crowley early, but the star midfielder’s tireless work ethic eventually broke the Dockers tagger.
In the game-deciding final quarter, Watson tallied eight disposals and kicked a goal as Essendon slammed on 4.6 to 0.1 to secure the 17.11 (113) to 14.5 (89) triumph, snapping a six-game losing run at Patersons Stadium.
Hird was glowing in his praise of Hurley, who put a frustrating run of recent results behind him with a career-best 6.1.
But he was equally proud of Watson’s efforts in fighting back from adversity on enemy territory to finish with 26 possessions.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Jobe,” Hird said.
“It wasn’t his greatest game in terms of he didn’t have 40 possessions, and I thought Crowley got the better of him in the second quarter.
“But often when you get beat and you fight back, they’re the best performances.
“He just kept fighting and fighting and fighting and willed his team over the line.
“His heart is incredible. I think he leads this team exceptionally well.”
Essendon will be aiming to further entrench themselves in the top-four when they take on the struggling Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Hurley has shown plenty of promise during his 56-game career, and Hird was hopeful the powerful 22-year-old was now at a stage of his career where he could string big performances together.
“His competitiveness is as good as I’ve ever seen in a player,” Hird said.
“He competes time after time.
“Unfortunately for him he didn’t get the pre-season he wanted.
“He missed three games with a hamstring, so it’s taken a while to get him into form.”
Essendon’s only concern to come out of the match was a possible hamstring injury to forward Angus Monfries.
Hird said Monfries would undergo scans, but was hopeful it wasn’t anything more than tightness.
Fremantle will be sweating on the fitness of Greg Broughton (face) and Chris Mayne (ankle) after the pair clashed heavily in a marking contest late in the match.
The Dockers have played a far more attacking brand of football in recent weeks, but coach Ross Lyon said that was down to winning more of the ball through the midfield rather than a game plan overhaul.
“When you win it you can go forward,” said Lyon, who had become renowned for his defensive game plans.
“It’s pretty hard to attack from your back 50 on the back foot.
Fremantle (6-6) remain just percentage adrift of eighth spot, but face high-flying Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday in their toughest test of the year.
