BOMBERS BUSTED by George on The Outer

[Demonland 71,868]

In a game that best be described as lacklustre, the Demons took their time but finally asserted their superior skills to down the Bombers and record a 3-0 start to season 2022. The now makes it a 10 game winning streak for the club, a match for the career record of Jake Bowey who has never been in a losing side.

The game really should have been well and truly over in the first quarter as Melbourne scored 3.5.23 to 0.4.4 but yet again, the wayward kicking in front of goal from set shots nearly came back to bite them. 

Unfortunately, this is becoming all too regular an occurrence, and with the game today highlighted by swings in momentum, it is important to put the scoreboard pressure on when the going is good.

Fortunately, Essendon simply lacked the polish necessary to put the Demons away, and while they managed three majors for the second quarter, they still they remained behind at the major break. The other aspect was the poor quality of general play, and when two sides can only score seven goals between them to half time, it wasn’t what’s expected with  a Friday night marquee game. 

Well, something was in the Gatorade at half time, as both sides lifted considerably, and 12 goals were posted in the 3rdquarter alone, but still the Demons held onto their lead, even by the fact they kicked more behinds than Essendon, to continue their inaccuracy in front of goal.

The Demon fans should now be familiar with the game-style employed by the coaches and a 13-point ¾ time lead could almost be guaranteed to be the margin at the final bell, plus or minus a goal.  And it was to be. So make sure those defibrillators are fully charged during the remainder of the matches this year, because this is what it will be like …

Peter Wright had the opportunity to bring the margin back to a single kick with about 15 minutes to play, but fortunately was unable to kick straight for the very first time on the night. Then Ed Langdon put the result beyond doubt with a mongrel reverse swing kick from the pocket that would have done a Pakistani bowler proud, when it found the middle of the big sticks.

The Demons finally ran out 29-point winners and sent the Bombers to their rightful place near the bottom of the Premiership table at 0-3 result, a first since 1967. Ain’t it beautiful!

Make no mistake, this was a lethargic performance by the Demons. They looked like they were coming off a six day break after playing in humid conditions. They simply could not execute, and fortunately the job of lifting them up fell to Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw and Ed Langdon. 

Clarrie had to cover for Petracca, who came into the game with a heavily bandaged knee and simply wasn’t his usual powerful self. His 38 touches, 18 contested, 666 metres gained and 15 inside 50’s led the way.  Ed Langdon racked up 31 touches and an equally incredible 490 metres gained on one wing, while his partner in the Wingers club, Brayshaw posted 518 metres and an equally incredible 20 marks from his 34 disposals. 

With the loss of BBB pre-game due to Covid health and safety restrictions, Sam Weideman stepped up with four goals, and while that is all that could be expected of a full forward, he had ample opportunity to improve on that, especially in the first half.  Too often he was out bodied, and may not be the answer long term in front of goal.

Other players had extraordinarily quiet games, Fritsch until the last quarter, Pickett, ANB with a paltry 10 disposals, TMac with 6, although he does a power of work bringing the ball to ground and providing linking up the ground.

Down back the Smith-Tomlinson-May brick wall held true again, and while some may criticize, the opposition only scored 70 points, most of which was courtesy of Wright, who like BBB is almost impossible to stop with his leap.

Next week its off to Adelaide to face Port, who are managing to turn 2022 into a nightmare, having lost to Adelaide despite leading easily with minutes to play.  They also are dwelling at the bottom of the table, and with the coach’s job on the line, expect them to come out firing . 

MELBOURNE 3.5.23 4.8.32 9.12.66 14.15.99

ESSENDON 0.4.4 3.5.23 8.5.53 10.10.70

MELBOURNE Weideman 4 Fritsch Harmes 2 Langdon McDonald Petracca Spargo Sparrow Viney

ESSENDON Wright 4 Stringer 2 Cutler McGrath Perkins Wanganeen

BEST

MELBOURNE Oliver Brayshaw Weideman Langdon Harmes May

ESSENDON Shiel Parish Wright Ridley Heppell

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Nil

ESSENDON Nil

REPORTS

MELBOURNE Nil

ESSENDON Nil

SUBSTITUTES

MELBOURNE Toby Bedford (unused)

ESSENDON Devon Smith (unused)

UMPIRES Nick Foot Andrew Stephens Alex Whetton

CROWD 44,503 at The MCG