It was a dominant win by Essendon today against Collingwood, made all the more impressive by the lack of their star players.
Collingwood – I don’t know how to explain a performance like this, but they were miles off the quality performance we have generally come to expect from such a big club. After seeming a premiership fancy at one point, they have no guarantee of making finals after a loss like this.
Jake Carlisle – huge game today. 26 disposals, 19 marks and four goals. A litlte more accurate and it would’ve been bigger, but you can’t argue with those numbers. The likes of Heppell and Myers really stood up in the absence of their more experienced teammates, winning 13 contested possessions each.
For Collingwood Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams saw a fair bit of it, Beams kicked two goals. It was generally a pretty quiet day for most though, Beams their only multiple goal scorer.
FINAL SCORE:
ESSENDON 16.7.103
COLLINGWOOD 5.9.39
The Essendon Bombers host the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG, hoping to back-up a breakthrough win against Port Adelaide last week with another upset. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:20pm (AEST).
The Bombers have been a bit average so far this year.
They haven’t won two in a row since early June, but their upset win against Port Adelaide last week at Adelaide Oval – making them the first interstate team to beat the Power there – will give them confidence that they’re about to put their best form together.
The Magpies have taken home just one win out of their last four games, an unconvincing 15-point victory over Carlton. With a home final on the line they’ll be looking to get four points this week.
The two sides played out an entertaining encounter on Anzac Day this year, tossing and turning before the Magpies ran away with a win thanks to a best-on-field performance from Dane Swan. That made it two in a row for Collingwood against the Bombers, with Essendon’s last win coming in Anzac Day 2013.
Both sides have made a number of changes. Essendon are missing Brendon Goddard due to suspension and have dropped Kyle Hardingham, replacing them with Dustin Fletcher and Corey Dellolio. Collingwood have dropped Sam Dwyer, Lachlan Keefe and Brodie Grundy, with Nick Maxwell, Jesse White and Luke Ball returning to the side.
After taking a starring role in this year’s Anzac Clash, all eyes will be on Dane Swan this week. The former Brownlow Medallist hasn’t been his usual self this year, declining a bit with age, but he wound the clock back on that day, and the Magpies will hope he can do so again.
Prediction
If they were fully fit I would be putting my money on Essendon, but with Jobe Watson injured and Brendon Goddard suspended, I don’t see Essendon being able to match the depth of Collingwood’s midfield. The Pies should get on top.
Collingwood by 24 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:20 PM (AEST).
Bobbo7
Guest
Yeah, I am just not a fan of this modern approach to appointing great ex-players as coaches with in experience. Make them earn their stripes in the lower leagues for a few years first. It would do them the world of good
Copeland
Guest
Buckley has had loser written all over him from the get go. His blowhard patron could not wait to re-sign the hapless self-centred wanabee earlier this year, and now the Pies are on track to miss the 2014 final series and continue their decline into 2015 and beyond, until Buckley and potentially McGuire are ultimately forced out.
Mark
Guest
Perfect way to end the weekend. Loved the shot of Joffa sitting in the crowd looking very sad.
Josh
Expert
My tipping streak is broken! It was going so well too. Oh well. Thanks to all who joined me for this one, see you next week!
Bobbo7
Guest
Perhaps the appointment of a coach with no coaching experience whatsoever was not a great idea
Josh
Expert
Very interesting game today, if not the most entertaining to watch. Could have huge finals consequences. For example, Collingwood are down into 8th now, with Essendon leaping into the eight of this win and leapfrogging Collingwood on percentage. The Pies are also on the same number of wins as the Gold Coast, who are in 9th, and could push them out next week given they have an easy match-up against Brisbane. I'd be very, very worried if I were you, Collingwood fans.
Josh
Expert
Well a dominant win by Essendon today, made all the more impressive by the lack of their star players. Collingwood - I don't know how to explain a performance like this, but they were miles of the quality performance we have generally come to expect from such a big club. After seeming a premiership fancy at one point, they have no guarantee of making finals after a loss like this. Jake Carlisle - huge game today. 26 disposals, 19 marks (!!) and four goals. A litlte more accurate and it would've been bigger, but you can't argue with those numbers. The likes of Heppell and Myers really stood up in the absence of their more experience teammates, winning 13 contested possessions each. For Collingwood Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams saw a fair bit of it, Beams kicked two goals. It was generally a pretty quiet day for most though, Beams their only multiple goal scorer.
Josh
Expert
FULL TIME ESSENDON 16.7.103 COLLINGWOOD 5.9.39
Josh
Expert
GOAL ESSENDON Jake Carlisle finally slots one after a few attempts and it puts him out to four goals for the day, a career best effort from him. Less than a minute in this game. ESSENDON 16.7.103 COLLINGWOOD 5.9.39
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ESSENDON Another miss by Carlisle. Essendon kicked 14.1 in the first three quarters and have 1.6 in this one. ESSENDON 15.7.97 COLLINGWOOD 5.9.39
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ESSENDON Patrick Ryder has a shot, misses. ESSENDON 15.6.96 COLLINGWOOD 5.9.39
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ESSENDON Jake Carlisle has a set shot and sends it to his left. He has been good today but if he had been a bit more accurate could have a bag to his name. ESSENDON 15.4.94 COLLINGWOOD 5.9.39
Josh
Expert
BEHIND ESSENDON Rushed behind to the Bombers. ESSENDON 15.3.93 COLLINGWOOD 5.9.39
Josh
Expert
GOAL ESSENDON Brent Stanton kicks a ripping goal after peeling it off a pack and sending in a long bomb from outside 50. ESSENDON 15.2.92 COLLINGWOOD 5.9.39
Josh
Expert
GOAL COLLINGWOOD A goal to Paul Seedsman makes the margin a bit more respectable for Collingwood. 16 minutes of play left. ESSENDON 14.1.85 COLLINGWOOD 5.9.39
Josh
Expert
Final term underway!
Josh
Expert
Well the Bombers are 52 points up at the final change, and that's all-time record territory for Collingwood to make a comeback from - and they look a long way away from "all time record" quality today. Dons should win but who will show up to make a mark in the final term?
Josh
Expert
3 QUARTER TIME ESSENDON 14.1.85 COLLINGWOOD 4.9.33
Josh
Expert
GOAL COLLINGWOOD Dayne Beams snags his second goal and the Pies bring the margin down to 52 points. Less than a minute in this third term. ESSENDON 14.1.85 COLLINGWOOD 4.9.33
Josh
Expert
GOAL ESSENDON Goal number two to youngster Zach Merrett and the Bombers widen the lead. ESSENDON 14.1.85 COLLINGWOOD 3.9.27