Jade Gresham is settled, fit and ready to play an important role as Essendon seek the consistency required to finally unlock the door to AFL finals success this season. The Bombers, once competition powerhouses, are on a well-documented run without a finals victory over the past two decades. And while many current players, including second-year Bomber Gresham, aren't a major part of that history, it weighs heavily on the club's large and frustrated supporter base.
It was felt as much as ever last season, when Essendon squandered a hot start to Brad Scott's second year as coach by losing nine of their last 12 games and missing the top eight altogether. Who knows where that can take us. Gresham's only finals appearance so far came in the last of his games for St Kilda - defeat to GWS in a elimination final - before he joined Essendon on a three-year deal.
The year-old kicked 19 goals from 22 games in his first year with the Bombers, having put to bed the injury concerns that cruelled his seasons.
Now he's preparing to step up in a remodelled Essendon forward line that will be without explosive matchwinner Jake Stringer, traded to the Giants at the end of last year. Stringer kicked 42 goals last season - second only to Kyle Langford 43 at Essendon - and leaves a large hole in the Bombers' attack. Gresham expects to spend most of his time forward, with bursts through the midfield, and is bullish about what the likes of Harrison Jones, Nate Caddy and boom draftee Isaac Kako can produce alongside established stars Langford and Peter Wright.
For You. The Morning Edition. Saved Articles 0. Reading History. My Topics. My Account. My Membership. Recommend inkl. About inkl. Get all your news in one place. One app. Shayne Hope. The Bombers will be looking for more consistency after a disappointing end to the season. If you time your season right, anything can happen," Gresham said. Jade Gresham kicked 19 goals in his first season at Essendon. I'm really excited and it's not long now. He works hard and he's come in wanting to learn every day.
