ESSENDON coach John Worsfold has defended his side's game style and taken a dig at Paul Roos' playing style after the Fitzroy and Sydney great's comments questioning the roles of veterans Brendon Goddard and Michael Hurley in the process.
Roos said Goddard and Hurley should not play together in the backline, but if Essendon does persist, the seven-time All-Australian with over 600 games experience as a player/coach believes the duo needs to be more accountable.
Roos also said Essendon's current defensive structures were in "total disarray", but the Bombers coach seemed unfazed.
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“What were Paul Roos' averages when he played footy at half-back, do you know? It was like 40 uncontested possessions a game," Worsfold said on Wednesday afternoon.
“Hurley and Goddard have roles to play within our team.
“They’re strong leaders and they’re going to be part of the style of footy we want to play.”
Goddard, 32, has been on the receiving end of criticism for his aggressive leadership style and the effectiveness of his possession count, but Worsfold said he had not heard the external noise surrounding Essendon’s most experienced player.
“I haven’t really heard (the criticism of Goddard),” he said.
“I think (Goddard) has been playing his role pretty well. He’s been in our best few players several times this year.”
Essendon is the only team yet to win a third term this season, and its ‘premiership-quarter’ woes continued last weekend, kicking a solitary behind to Hawthorn’s six goals.
When Worsfold was asked what was going so wrong after half-time, he seemed lost for answers.
“Don’t bring that up,” he said half-jokingly.
“Why did you just ruin my day?
“Third quarters have been really disappointing this year, but our aim is to play a better brand of footy.
“I’m going to take up some psychology units and I’ll give you an answer when I’ve done them.
“Our biggest issue is playing four quarters of footy, let’s just be clear on that.”
Essendon has lost its past three games by an average losing-margin of six goals, slumping to 15th on the ladder. They face bottom-placed Carlton this Saturday at the MCG, but the Bombers will be without Joe Daniher who will miss at least a month after he was diagnosed with osteitis pubis on Tuesday.
Worsfold is confident his side can improve and regain the form which saw them beat both Adelaide in round one and Port Adelaide in round four.
“I’m very confident that this group can put in the work to become the team they want to become,” he said.
“To improve on last year we have to play a different brand of footy. We have to play that new brand of footy at a pretty good level.
“If we do that, then we have improved.”
