Essendon opened their new era by closing a losing streak, belting the Kangaroos by 55 points in their AFL season-opener at Telstra Dome.
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The Bombers used a potent running game to recover from 27 points down early in the second term, kicking 11 goals to three to win 19.8 (122) to 9.13 (67).
This was Essendon’s first regular-season match without Kevin Sheedy, their coach of 27 years, and club great James Hird.
Mark McVeigh won the inaugural Archer-Hird as best afield, struck in honour of Hird and Kangaroos legend Glen Archer, while new Essendon coach Matthew Knights had a good day in the box.
Essendon had not beaten North, their arch-rivals, since the Bombers staged a record 69-point comeback to win in 2001.
Knights admitted today’s win was strong symbolism for the new-look Bombers.
“I was probably still running around myself (as a player) the last time we beat them – I had probably lost a yard or two, mind you – but it is significant, it’s good,” he said.
“I could easily say that ‘new coach, new team, it doesn’t really matter’, but the reality is we haven’t beaten the Kangaroos for a long, long time.
“It was good for the club to win today under those circumstances.”
The win came at a cost, with key forward Scott Lucas to miss at least ten weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee.
Lucas limped off in the first term after a pack marking contest, while North’s comeback full-forward Nathan Thompson concussed Corey Jones in the first few minutes of the match.
While Thompson impressed in his first regular-season match since 2006 with four goals, Lucas’ injury opened up the Essendon forward line for captain Matthew Lloyd.
The Bombers full-forward lifted with six goals.
Essendon were in massive trouble when North opened the second term with two quick goals to lead by 27 points.
But North coach Dean Laidley was left lamenting his team’s inaccuracy – they hit the post six times for the match – which meant they never quite put the game out of Essendon’s reach.
After improbably hitting the front late in the second quarter, Essendon then smashed the Kangaroos in the third term.
“In the third quarter, they just outplayed us completely, they were very good,” Laidley said.
The result, and the third-term fadeout, was as bad for North as the win was uplifting for Essendon.
The Kangaroos have worked hard off the field since the AFL wanted to relocate them to the Gold Coast last year.
They have a record membership and attracted 48,100 to this home game.
Essendon now play reigning premiers Geelong, who are as well-equipped as any side to dissect the Bombers’ new game plan and its emphasis on speed.
“(Assistant coach) Gary O’Donnell and I watched Geelong train up on the Gold Coast two or three months ago and (it) was absolutely superb,” he said.
“We have an understanding of what we’re playing (against) next week, but what these young guys and this team won’t be is intimidated.”
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The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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March 25th 2008 @ 7:48am
Stoffy said | March 25th 2008 @ 7:48am | Report comment
Very similar to the West Coast game last year. For the first two quarters we were simply outplayed and looked to be going backward not forward. In the second half of both games, the bombers brought back memories of 2000. The Bombers are back, Lloyd played something special and Matthew Knights, we may just get 30 years out of him too.
Bring on the Cats, we have what it takes!!!!
March 25th 2008 @ 8:52am
Redb said | March 25th 2008 @ 8:52am | Report comment
Stoffy,
brave statements. I was at the game yesterday and early we were ordinary , although you could put it down to youthful enthusiasm. Our midfield has finally got some spark and serious pace. Davey and Jetta are back and it shows. A little tip Sam Lonergan, get him in your dream team.
The Cats will be a challenge, I think they may have a little too much experience for us next week. But they will have to shut down our midfield, gee its been awhile since I was able to say that.
cheers
Redb
March 25th 2008 @ 9:22am
Stoffy said | March 25th 2008 @ 9:22am | Report comment
RedB,
I have Lonergan on my dream team bench, probably not the best place for him, but at least a squeezed him in. Mark McVeigh really put his potential forward yesterday. In the past he’s showed he had the skill, but never really got going, this is a big year for him.
One thing i was impressed with was the back line, Mal Michael possess great speed for a big bloke and he played outstanding and Fletcher as a loose man is perfect (love the goal as well, part time forward if in trouble). Dempsey, Rama, Slattery, Mcphee, Nash and Ryder link up so well and really get the run going.
Davey is something special, goal of the year candidate if you please, i was out of my seat. Peverill, Lovett, Winderlich, Welsh, Neagle and Gumbleton all to come back in, it’s looking promising for the dons, but your right i shouldn’t get too carried away.
Even with all the positives, teams like Geelong wont let you back into the game after a start to the match like against NM. Manning up is one frustrating problem, it’s not a problem to commit players, but when it leaves teams lining up for a dangerous counter-attack, it’s something we need to rethink.
Another is discipline, we lost the first quarter because of stupid, undisciplined free kicks that we gave away.
If we can minimize these two areas, we looking in good shape for 2008
March 25th 2008 @ 10:00am
Redb said | March 25th 2008 @ 10:00am | Report comment
Stoffy,
Oh yeah, big Mal has great pace for a big bloke. I loved Fletcher’s goal as well, I was hoping he woud go the ‘torp’ but I guess he was only 60 metres out.
Your spot on re our defense, some talls in Michael, Fletch and Ryder and good crumbers with the young blokes.
Those free kicks in the first quarter were driving us insane as you know, they were obviously there. It was good to hear Knights comment on the areas we need to improve, he’s not getting carried away.
Alwyn Davey – its worth going to a game just to see this bloke. There aren’t enough superlatives to cover his pace and tenacity.
Hadn’t really picked out Tom Lonergan until yesterday. What poise, balance and skill for a young player. I also liked Houli, he thinks about his kicks, actually tries to find a man even when under extreme pressure.
I was annoyed they didn’t pay that mark for North’s Aaron Edwards, that should have been a mark.
cheers
Redb
March 25th 2008 @ 3:49pm
Michael C said | March 25th 2008 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
Redb -
likewise – the Edwards mark – I can not believe it wasn’t paid – and if that effort of G.Ablett Snr over Garry Pert is going to be continued to be replayed……..I’m dirty.
Lloyd won’t play on Gibson sized defenders every week – the next 2 months or so with Lucas will test the bombers.
Roos were hot early whilst their handball numbers were about even and even greater than their kicks. That dropped right away – when it did, Essendon took over. The Rooboys certainly lacked for the key defensive rebounders in Jess Sinclair and Jesse Smith.
Roos also wasted chances early on – and as a North supporter – at the game – I’ve been to enough footy to know that if you’re wasting your best efforts by kicking behinds – and the opposition remain in the game by kicking straight – that it’s only a matter of time before they have the ascendancy in general play – and if you haven’t put them away – then you pay. Alas, the 27 pt margin should have been more like 40 – it wasn’t and 5 mins into the 3rd term the game was almost over – the Roos had a short rally but missed a couple again and that was it.
Proof again to those anti-AFL types that a point for missing really isn’t much of a reward – and more stands testimant to wastefulness. And footy really is about creating space via handball so you can kick efficiently – alas, the Roos forgot to handball and THEN SHEPHERD – there were way to many 1 dimensional plays – handball and then standback and admire the handy work……..
March 25th 2008 @ 4:25pm
Redb said | March 25th 2008 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
MC,
The Roos definitely has us on ice in the first quarter, but seemd to lsoe focus or Essendon stopped giving aawya free kicks, but in the end our pace and teamwrok was outstanding.
I was amazed at the speed and use of handball or if you like the short game out of stoppages. Essendon are playing a different brand of footy this year – perhaps this is the benefit of replacing Sheedy with a fresh coach who himself was running around the paddock only 5-6 years ago instead of 35-36 years ago.
I’m not getting carried away, but I doubt think we are the cellar dwellers either as some have predicted. Essendon will surprise a few teams this year, some of our new players are just excitement machines.
cheers
Redb
March 25th 2008 @ 5:01pm
Stoffy said | March 25th 2008 @ 5:01pm | Report comment
Michael C,
Lloyd will play on some top defenders over the course of the year, but in most of those situations, not even the best of the best could do anything. Even if you had Darren Glass or Tom Harley i think Lloyd would still have bagged 5-6.
I agree with the umpire in terms of the Edwards mark, a great attempt, but the rules clearly state you have to have full control of the ball, and Edwards didn’t, great leap but just a second off being called a mark, it’s a small second but a big difference.
North remind me of Fulham, they start well but finish terribly, that will have to change fast or they will be heading straight for the bottom four.
March 25th 2008 @ 5:09pm
Michael C said | March 25th 2008 @ 5:09pm | Report comment
Stoffy -
ah yes – but, last year, with no Leigh Harding from the previous season (ACL), and Thommo out on the eve of the season for the year and Jono Hay a pre-season withdrawal unable to be replaced – and at 0-3 after 3 rounds…….and we made the top 4.
It’s a long, long season.
This week vs Richmond will be huge. Winning those games will be crucial and the Tiges are bouyant but not brilliant.
Touch wood.
It can be a fine line – top 4 vs bottom 4!!!