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Essendon shocked the football world on Friday when they defeated reigning premiers Hawthorn by 44 points. No-one disputes the fact that the Hawks have a long-list of injuries, which has hampered their season to date.
But the Bombers own troubles with injuries have been, literally, swept under the carpet.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn’s have been splashed across newspapers. The Hawks will rise again, but they aren’t the only team missing key players.
Among those missing from Essendon’s latest victory were David Hille, Mark McVeigh, Andrew Welsh and Dustin Fletcher.
That quartet all figured in the top-ten of the club’s best-and-fairest last season.
Add to that Scott Lucas (who was dropped), Kyle Reimers, Hayden Skipworth, recruit Brent Prismall and Leroy Jetta.
Then consider Scott Gumbleton (a key forward prospect who has been dogged by injuries) and first-year defender Michael Hurley who, in the absence of Fletcher, would have assumed a key role in defence if not injured.
Yes, the Bombers still lack consistency, which is shown by its record this season – wins over Carlton, Collingwood and Hawthorn, yet defeats to North Melbourne and Brisbane (interstate). And as captain Matthew Lloyd said after the game, Essendon need not get too excited with a victory over a patched-up Hawthorn.
But the team’s much publicised run-and-gun style was on show for all to see and, given who is still to return to the line-up, it seems there are exciting times ahead for the red and black.
How ironic, given the “experts” pre-season predictions.
They may still be proven right, but so far this season the Bombers have shown they are more than just a speed bump for their opposition.
Hawthorn midfielder Brad Sewell said on SEN radio on Saturday that Essendon’s speed, combined with its risk-taking approach will prove hard for rivals to combat.
Consistency will be the buzzword for the Bombers in the coming weeks but, if you consider who is still to return to the side – and the healthy competition it will create – coach Matthew Knights might be on his way to proving some detractors wrong.
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