A COMBINED Melbourne VFL and AFL side has gone down by 74 points to Essendon in today's practice match at Casey Fields.
Jayden Hunt, Oskar Baker, Marty Hore, Josh Wagner, Toby Bedford, James Jordon, Trent Rivers and Austin Bradtke were Melbourne's representatives in the match, with VFL players making up the remainder of the squad. Corey Wagner also got involved in the match as Melbourne's runner.
While playing as Melbourne and wearing Melbourne jumpers, the line-up had a strong Casey Demons influence with VFL senior coach Sam Radford taking charge of the side for the day.
Essendon also took the opportunity to mix up their line-up, giving limited minutes to the likes of Andrew McGrath, Darcy Parrish and David Zaharakis, while selecting two triallists who are training with their squad.
The Bombers took early control of the game, kicking four goals to none in the first half and restricting Melbourne's ball movement with a high pressure game style.
Melbourne managed to bounce back in the second term, kicking three goals to Essendon's two.
VFL players Tom McCaffrey, Jaxon Briggs and Mitch White slotted the second quarter majors for the Demons.
Jayden Hunt and Marty Hore were also solid contributors in the first two quarters, before being rested in the second half.
Following the main break, Essendon took full control of the game in the second half booting 10 goals to one.
For the red and blue, Trent Rivers, Austin Bradtke and Toby Bedford showed promising signs in their first opportunities wearing a Melbourne jumper.
2019 Pick No. 32 Rivers booted Melbourne's final goal for the game and impressed with his penetrating kick and speed.
Bedford was also a dynamic presence around the ball with his tackling pressure, while Category B rookie Bradtke was solid in the ruck.
Melbourne will play at Casey Fields again on Saturday in a more formal capacity in a Marsh Community Series fixture against Adelaide.
MELBOURNE 0.3 3.4 3.6 4.8 (32)
ESSENDON 4.2 6.3 10.5 16.10 (106)
GOALS
Melbourne: Rivers, McCaffrey (VFL), Briggs (VFL), White (VFL)
Essendon: Laverde 3, Zaharakis 2, Cutler 2, Fantasia 2, Landt (VFL) 2, Ham, Jones, Snelling, Begley, Teakle (triallist)
