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The Roar

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Bombers blitz struggling Magpies

13th July, 2014
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Essendon soared into the AFL top eight with a stunning 64-point win over Collingwood on Sunday at the MCG.

The Bombers outworked the Magpies from the start and took control after quarter time to win 16.7 (103) to 5.9 (39).

It is Collingwood’s fourth loss from their last five games and they dropped to eighth, while Essendon jumped from 10th to seventh.

Essendon were last in the top eight in round four and they took the place of Gold Coast, whose upset loss to the Western Bulldogs meant they dropped out of the eight for the first time since round five.

The Magpies started favourites, particularly after Essendon lost acting captain Brendon Goddard through suspension for the match.

But the Bombers were outstanding, heaping immediate pressure on Collingwood with the opening three goals of the match.

Much-maligned Essendon key position player Jake Carlisle had his best game of the season, racking up 19 marks at either end of the ground and kicking four goals.

Paul Chapman set the early tone with six first-quarter tackles and finished with three goals.

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Essendon also hit Collingwood hard in the first half of the Anzac Day match and led by 37 points before the Magpies overran them.

But as the Bombers took a 31-point lead at halftime on Sunday, there was a much different feel about this match.

That was confirmed in the third term when Essendon kicked six goals to two.

Collingwood did not kick a goal from late in the first term until the 16th minute of the third.

The Magpies’ attack was rendered impotent thanks to Essendon players such as Carlisle, who swarmed back in numbers to deny easy scoring options.

It was telling in the third term that Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley subbed out Clinton Young for Ben Kennedy.

Young was taken out of the game even though Nick Maxwell hurt his ankle late in the second term.

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Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke, who was kept scoreless by Cale Hooker, also spent an extended period on the bench in the third term.

Essendon defender Courtenay Dempsey, who had a bad day out when he returned to the senior team on Anzac Day, was outstanding this time.

Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell were also prominent for the Bombers.

Midfielder Steele Sidebottom was best for Colllingwood with 28 possessions.

Colllingwood have the week off in the split round before hosting Adelaide, while Essendon have a potentially-tricky clash next Sunday against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

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