Essendon caretaker coach Dean Solomon says he will continuing deploying star midfielder Zach Merrett at half-back as he seeks to set up the last-placed side for next season.
Former skipper Merrett was used away from his customary on-ball role during the Bombers’ five-point defeat to Carlton at the MCG on Sunday night.
He had a game-high 33 disposals and 456 metres gained (ranked third), as well as seven score involvements, but used the ball at just 67 per cent efficiency.
“We want to generate a bit more drive out of half-back and obviously we know what Zach can do,” Solomon said after the Bombers’ 10.12 (72) to 10.7 (67) loss.
“He’s got a lethal left foot. The coaches discussed it throughout the week, what the pros and cons of it were, do we take away from our midfield.
“But we felt that ended up being a positive space at the end of the game and we’ll continue to do it.”
Solomon considered shifting Merrett back into the middle when teammate Sam Durham, who had been a dominant figure in the first half, was shut down by George Hewett in the third term.
Durham had been crucial in setting up a 23-point lead during the second term before he went cold and the Bombers threw it away.
“We had a discussion around that but it did we feel that Merrett was giving us a fair bit of drive,” Solomon said.
“We chose to send the message just to continue to give him confidence to run past, get handball receives and try to generate some flow from that and get it in the forward half.”
Solomon has also shifted Ben McKay forward since taking the reins and likes what he sees in the regular defender as a tall target in attack.
Now in his 10th AFL season, McKay doubled his career goal tally with one major in a loss to West Coast last round and did so again when he kicked 2.2 against Carlton.
But the Bombers didn’t help McKay or fellow forward Nate Caddy with their poor delivery and ball movement forward of centre on Sunday night.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do there with the connection, but we’ll continue to try to make that more efficient to give both of those guys more opportunity,” Solomon said.
“But I think McKay is giving us a great target and he’s got a nice set of hands and he’s a good, steady set shot.
“We’ll continue to persevere with that and I’m very confident that he can develop into a very handy player for us in the forward-line.”
Young star Caddy cut a frustrated figure at times, finishing with 1.1 from just six disposals as teammates often let him down with their passes.
“I just feel like giving him a big cuddle,” Solomon said.
“I love him, he’s got a massive heart, he loves this football club and he gives everything he can for us.
“Unfortunately, the last two weeks we just haven’t helped him out.”
Essendon (1-12) remain last on the ladder ahead of a clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.
