How the Bombers used “self-reflection” to bounce back against Dockers

Fresh off Essendon’s one-point win over Fremantle, Darcy Parish is ready to finish the season strongly after a troublesome year of injuries.

The Bombers midfielder, who recently returned from a lengthy layoff with a calf injury, has found some new perspective after his own woes as well as the disappointment of the 53-point loss to St Kilda in Round 20.

Parish admits coach Brad Scott was downcast after that defeat, but enabled the players to look inwardly in order to find a response.

“He was very disappointed, as we all were,” Parish explained on SEN Breakfast.

“I was actually buzzing to get back to playing again but that was my first game back, and yeah it was a pretty hard slog. We all did a bit of self-reflection, and then Brad’s messaging throughout the week was just putting us back in the contest really.”

Parish was one of Essendon’s best players with 34 disposals in the come-from-behind triumph over the Dockers at the MCG on Sunday.

He admits it has been a challenging season given his own woes, but the recent birth of his son Tommy has allowed him to focus his energies elsewhere as he dealt with a nagging calf injury.

“Obviously you want to be on the successful side. All I’m doing each day every time I go to the club is trying to get better and make the team better,” he added.

“Obviously this year through injury it’s been really disappointing for me, a frustrating one re-doing my calf halfway through the year.

“It’s hard being a spectator at times but I think that the arrival of Tommy has kept my mind occupied, and yeah just puts things into perspective. I’ve got to do things that I suppose I wouldn’t have been able to do if I was playing.”

The win over Freo has the Dons placed ninth on the ladder, two points behind Carlton in eighth.

While they do own a lesser percentage of 95.9, they could still force their way into the top eight if they can win their next three matches.

Parish and his teammates are well aware of the situation they find themselves in as the focus shifts to doing everything in their power to achieving positive results.

“You can just see how tight the competition is now and how results each week can change the ladder,” he continued.

“For me it’s just coming in and playing some footy in the back end of the year

“I’m just enjoying my time being back out there again and just taking each week as it comes, that’s what we’re doing. Just trying to lock into each week and the results will take care of itself.”

Parish signed a lengthy contract extension until 2029 just under a year ago and was always keen to stick with the Dons despite the process which he admits dragged on.

“It was pretty straight forward even though it did drag on probably more than I would have liked it to,” he said.

“Once 'Scotty' came in (as coach) and just the core group of players we have got at the moment... I've always wanted to be a one-club player. I think it’s really important to me being loyal and giving back to the club for what they gave to me, (when) picking me up.”

With finals in sight, Parish and the Bombers are set to take on the Gold Coast Suns in this Saturday' clash at Marvel Stadium.

After that they take on Sydney also at Marvel and Brisbane at the Gabba.