Essendon has “gone back to basics” and will tweak their game plan ahead of Saturday night’s Dreamtime clash against Richmond.
The Bombers have endured another week of intense scrutiny following their smashing in Sydney against the Swans last weekend.
But after a week of soul-searching at Tullamarine, Sportsday co-host Sam McClure reported on Thursday night that the Bombers were “scaling back the game plan” following a board presentation from coach Ben Rutten and football boss Josh Mahoney.
“Essendon has gone back to basics,” he said on Sportsday.
“They told the board and their players that they are scaling back the game plan and are going back to the contested, effort and pressure-based side which made them a blue-collar finals team last year.
“Josh Mahoney and Ben Rutten have gone to the board and said they are going to strip (the game plan) back and re-align their focus because they’re not getting want they want.
“They are going back to the basics of what made them a finals team last year.
“That in itself isn’t dramatic or drastic, there are plenty of footy clubs (where similar things have happened). It does happen fairly regularly in footy.”
The Bombers have struggled against Richmond in recent times, losing their last 11 against them and having not tasted victory in the match up since 2014.