Essendon’s resurgence under new coach James Hird continued as they marched into the AFL pre-season semi-finals with a 39-point win over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.
With first-year midfielder Dyson Heppell prominent, the Bombers led at every change to take a free-flowing, entertaining match 1.17.10 (121) to 1.11.7 (82).
Paddy Ryder booted three goals for the Bombers, while the impressive Heppell kicked two and had 15 telling possessions.
For the Demons, exciting forward Liam Jurrah booted three goals along with Addam Maric, who booted a supergoal among his three.
The Bombers built on their impressive pre-season performances the previous week in Hird’s coaching debut, with another NAB Cup victory built on excellent defensive pressure and featuring 12 individual goalkickers.
Against a Melbourne side tipped for finals in the home-and-away season, Essendon were in control throughout.
But they only made the game safe with six goals to one in the final term – Ryder booting two of his in the quarter.
Essendon now play the winners of Friday night’s Collingwood-Sydney quarter-final.
Hird, who was cheered heartily by Essendon supporters as he walked the boundary line towards the end of the match, was pleased with the result but cautioned against reading too much into a pre-season campaign which is yet to see the Bombers taste defeat.
“The forward defensive pressure was great, the finish to the game was terrific,” Hird said.
“But you’ve got to put it in perspective. It’s NAB Cup, we haven’t played a real game of football yet.
“This is a preparation phase for us, trying to prepare for round one. We’re trying some things that are working, and we’re trying some things that aren’t working.”
Melbourne coach Dean Bailey was disappointed with his side’s showing, especially a lack of discipline resulting in some cheap free-kicks late in the match and a failure to match Essendon’s intensity early.
“That was a poor start and poor finish, poor first quarter and poor last quarter,” Bailey said.
“That stats tell the facts of the game. The tackling, the contested possessions, the clearances, inside 50s. It’s just wasn’t good enough.”
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