Post Match Discussion - Never in doubt

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

And in fairness they did pay one against Ess afterwards over near the old bay 13 that was marginal.

The one against Essendon was worse than the one against Melbourne.

[robbiefrom13 894]

You're better than this Robbie...

chacun pour soi, neanmoins...

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

[Ethan Tremblay 31,271]

chacun pour soi, neanmoins...

You speak French like Yoda speaks English, nevertheless..

[Ethan Tremblay 31,271]

Just finished the 3rd quarter. Jeez I love Bernie's game. How many years can we get from him?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Just finished the 3rd quarter. Jeez I love Bernie's game. How many years can we get from him?

I honestly think five.

[nutbean 8,838]

In real time ot looked outrageous. IN slow mo it looked right,.

And in fairness they did pay one against Ess afterwards over near the old bay 13 that was marginal.

They are really paying some stinkers this year. The rule is policed poorly and is reflective of umpires having never played the game. If you turn towards the boundary line you are opening yourself up to trouble.I really believe this rule should be policed very leniently and unless it is absolutely 100% obvious then throw it in.

[jazza 1,323]

First time weve won a chit game for years.

Still cant figure out whether mac is a left or right sided player,but his game just improves weekly.

Pr has delivered the defensive/were still in the game/ mode that was expected.

[deanox 10,052]

I thought the Essendon deliberate was worse.

Tmac didn't really have many other options, only grab it and get tackled over the line. He was running at pave with a player on his heals. The Essendon one was the result of a 40 m kick directly at the line when no team mates were within a cooee. It was a deliberate kick for touch when other options to keep the ball in were available but unfavourable (would have resulted in us taking possession).

[nutbean 8,838]

Still cant figure out whether mac is a left or right sided player,but his game just improves weekly.

I don't mind his game when he doesn't have too much time to think.

His handpass in the last chain that resulted in the Salem goal was beautiful. (in fact have a look a everyone's involvement in that chain - Pedo, Jones, Frawley, McKenzie, Tommy Mac, Viney and Cross to Salem - Roos was right - our best piece of offensive play for the year and what a time to produce it)

[Scoop Junior 3,573]

That game was so surreal to me. I just couldn't believe what I was witnessing...Essendon just fluffing shot after shot and then us going down the other end and nailing our opportunities.

30 less contested possessions, 14 less clearances and 30-odd less inside 50s are incredible stats for a winning team. Make no mistake we absolutely stole that one. And how good does it feel!!

The first half was (West Coast game aside) the worst footy we've played all year. We just weren't at the races and looked flat and tired. Got killed in the middle, were second to the ball, didn't close them down, lacked numbers at the contest and had no movement or flow in our offensive play. Only tremendous defending from Dunn, McDonald, Grimes and Jetta and Essendon's wastefullness kept us in the game at half time.

I did not see that turnaround coming and that's what makes it special. The boys dug deep and showed great character, not just coming back in the second half but also regaining the lead after Zaharakis kicked two in a row.

For me there were three key reasons for our turnaround. One was in the middle, where Jamar lifted in the ruck and we started winning some centre clearances. Tyson was also critical in this turnaround. All of a sudden we started getting some quick entry into our forward line and putting them under pressure. Second was our tackling. Aiden Riley laid an absolute bone-cruncher, Dawes laid two fantastic tackles, Kent did a great front-on tackle on Hurley. This just sent the message to Essendon that we weren't done with yet and you could see the pressure affect the Bombers and they started to panic and make mistakes in their defensive half. Third was we finally started to generate some run and overlap from half back, something we really struggled with in the first half.

At the end of the day we were very lucky to be in with a chance of winning the game, but that should not detract from what was a fantastic comeback full of character and resilience.

As a final point, a special mention to Daniel Cross, who did one of the gutsiest things I've seen on a footy field. In the last quarter, Chapman was leading out and the kick was placed nicely in the air in his patch. Cross peeled off his man and headed for the intercept. To get there not only did he have to go back with the flight, but he had to reach up and out with his right hand for the spoil and in doing so completely expose the right side of his body. It was almost an open invitation for Chapman to shatter his ribs. Cross knew what was coming and knew the potential injury he could have suffered by leaving himself exposed. He got the fist in, spoiled the mark and after a few seconds gathering himself got back up and pushed on. Courage in its absolute purest form.

[Vitamin Dee 903]

Cross was also one (if not the) Melb player who was pushed back furthest in defence at the start of the last play.

Cross then sprinted through the guts to support and contribute hitting up Salem.

Another wonderful example of work rate and leadership.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Thank you Doggies for gifting us Daniel Cross and congrats for beating the Pies.....

[hardtack 10,978]

I think we need to give Return to Glory some sort of an award for having his wish come true... in the Game Day thread before the game commenced (page 2 or 3), it was RtG who said:

"dees by a point, to heap misery on their dark souls"

Well done RtG!!!

[71 Molloy 266]

Putting Kent's running goal in my top 3 in between the wiz at Waverley and TJ at subiaco.

Get's marked up for the elbow in Carlisle's back post goal. Mad Kent!

[mauriesy 7,429]

That Cross chip kick to Salem for the final goal was also the hallmark of an experienced team player who kept cool in the pressure of the final moments.

[P-man 13,367]

they love to talk trash on Watts lack of physicality

LOL..by "they" you mean you, right? My god you are two faced. I've never seen a journalist describe Watts as a "[censored]".

Why are you still posting here btw? Did your pledge mean as little as the rest of your dribble?

[monoccular 17,697]

Did anyone else see the irony of the scoreboard advertising??

Every Bomber goal was followed by an ad for CHEMSTS WAREHOUSE!!!!

[Demon Stalwart 255]

Demons! Demons! Demons!

God doesn't it sound good to be able to cry that out again !!!

[DeeSpencer 26,478]

Well done to the bomber supporter who destroyed that hotdog to win a prize at quarter time. Impressive effort.

And Essendon good job filling almost 3 hours with scoreboard advertising and promotion. Heaven help those who want to see a replay or watch the play on the far side of the ground.

[nutbean 8,838]

That Cross chip kick to Salem for the final goal was also the hallmark of an experienced team player who kept cool in the pressure of the final moments.

I watched the clip again ( actually numerous times) and was blown away by the precision but two little things I noticed

- watch where Tommy Mac is just before the Jones kicks up to the Frawley contest. Big cudo's to him to getting back to that contest to provide the outlet for McKenzies handpass. After 120 minutes of football he had to have worked hard to join that contest.

- even better - there is a wide angle shot of that Frawley contest - watch how far back Viney and Cross are coming from and how hard they are sprinting down the centre of the ground. I know that all the pieces fell into place but that was gut running that was rewarded. I would show that wide angle clip of those two boys doing that over and over and over again.

[DeeSpencer 26,478]

I watched the clip again ( actually numerous times) and was blown away by the precision but two little things I noticed

- watch where Tommy Mac is just before the Jones kicks up to the Frawley contest. Big cudo's to him to getting back to that contest to provide the outlet for McKenzies handpass. After 120 minutes of football he had to have worked hard to join that contest.

- even better - there is a wide angle shot of that Frawley contest - watch how far back Viney and Cross are coming from and how hard they are sprinting down the centre of the ground. I know that all the pieces fell into place but that was gut running that was rewarded. I would show that wide angle clip of those two boys doing that over and over and over again.

That play happened right in front of me. It's funny that Tom McDonald was so out on his feat defending Chapman that they both sat on the wing/back flank doing nothing whilst the play went down back. Then as Pedersen - Jones won the ball they ended up in a spot where we would usually lead in to. The state of the game forced the kick longer to Frawley and you were right Tom McDonald just came from nowhere and ran a perfect angle to get from the contest to the free space and Tyson/Viney/Cross.

Obviously McKenzie's gather and hands were vital but Frawley was the other one. Super quick recovery. Gets shot what could be a hospital handball from McKenzie but makes it work with deft hands back to him and it's all on from there.

I love Roos but at times his game plan just kills us if we aren't being the right mix of patient and poised. When we line 6 defenders up for the switch and have 2 spare on the far wing and then bomb down the line is the perfect example of dumb footy and I'm sure it's not really in the plan. Anyway that's an aside.

[PJ_12345 1,098]

Just watched the replay again.

Re the first half...

Jordie kept Stanton to 1 kick and 1 handball for the first 30 minutes

Kents kick to Frawley was amazing

Dawes sprinting out and covering when Essendon had the ball so Dunn can get back and defend was really impressive

Even though they had a pretty poor first half it never felt like they were out of it. A weird confidence and also some risk taking (Dunn selling candy, Tmac running through)

Great game!

[Crompton's the man 660]

Reading the bomber forums is so good it should be illegal.

My favourite comment: "WHO THE **** IS DEAN KENT!!!!!!!!!"

He certainly knows who he is now.

Clark's brother

[Breggsy 123]

Great game! Can't believe we won it considering how poor our first half was

So many great potential gif moments