Essendon coach James Hird had no trouble pinpointing the most disappointing aspect of the 20-point AFL loss to Collingwood on Anzac Day.
It was wet at the MCG on Saturday.
At times, it was very wet.
But the Bombers – who opposing coach Nathan Buckley noted tended to favour a high-possession game – failed to adapt to the conditions.
“To have 100 more disposals than the opposition and to play a brand of football that wasn’t suitable for the conditions is very disappointing,” said Hird after the 9.15 (69) to 6.13 (49) loss.
“We played Sydney three weeks ago and played very well in the wet.
“Then we played a brand where you can be competitive in the wet.
“We didn’t play that way today.”
The Magpies shaded the contested possessions 165-161, but had 89 fewer uncontested possessions than the Bombers and 44 fewer contested marks on a day tailor-made for direct football.
The problem for Essendon was execution, not application.
“You look at the way they cracked in right until the end and it wasn’t about effort,” said Hird.
Essendon lost Paul Chapman to a corked knee midway through the third quarter, robbing them of a hard nut who traditionally excels on difficult days.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Not Jake Kelly's finest moment!
Another milestone for the Magpies champion!
A bit of spice between the Pies veteran and young Don Ben Hobbs!
A wonderful show of emotion from the Magpies coach on a sacred day.
The AFL has confirmed the right decision was made after a ball ricocheted off a boundary umpire's leg during the third quarter of Melbourne's…
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
