No Buddy, not much from Kurt and Sam, but evergreen Adam Goodes helped AFL ladder-leaders Sydney to a gritty 22-point win over Essendon at the SCG on Friday night.
Leading goalkicker Lance Franklin withdrew before the game with knee soreness and while Sydney missed his flashes of brilliance, they scrapped their way to a 11.13 (79) to 8.9 (57) win.
The Bombers slashed a 28-point half-time deficit to ten in the third quarter and continued snapping at Sydney’s heels in the last, but never got the margin down to single figures.
They paid the price for a slow start, trailing 20-1 early and by 26 at the first change.
The Swans proved they didn’t need a big contribution from their celebrated four-pronged strikeforce of tall forwards, with the other three members apart from Franklin combining for just four goals.
Sydney’s other main forward target Kurt Tippett booted just two goals – both from free kicks – as he was well held by Cale Hooker.
Sam Reid, who spent time off the ground with what appeared to be hip issue, notched a single goal and nine disposals.
Goodes collected 18 touches, a game-high ten marks and kicked 2.1, sealing the win with a final-quarter goal.
With not many forward line pyrotechnics, Sydney prevailed through strong defensive pressure and midfield industry in a workmanlike effort after their 12-game winning streak was snapped by Hawthorn last week.
Luke Parker (35 possessions) and Josh Kennedy (28) were among their hardest and most influential workers.
The Swans kicked the first three goals of the game and while Essendon had a good patch in the middle of the opening quarter, they didn’t make it count on the scoreboard.
Sydney controlled most of the second quarter but only expanded their lead by two after kicking 2.5 to 2.3.
The Bombers came out full of run after halftime and cut the deficit to 10, as Pat Ryder and Ben Howlett converted set shots from around 50 metres and Jake Carlisle goaled from close range.
Sydney responded with goals to Tippett and Ben McGlynn stretching their buffer to 20 by the final break.
Dyson Heppell kicked the first goal of the last term, but Sydney outscored the visitors by two points for the term.
Michael Hurley played with plenty of authority down back and logged a team-leading 29 touches for Essendon, with Heppell tallying 25.
Franklin’s place was taken by 20-year-old debutant Tim Membrey, who found himself marked by Dustin Fletcher, playing his 393rd game.
Membrey, who hadn’t even been born when 39-year-old Fletcher made his debut back in 1993, was substituted by Jake Lloyd at the last change after tallying nine touches and four marks.
Sydney coach John Longmire was pleased with the effort of his back six and midfield and the fact they had eight goalkickers.
“We thought our run and spread was good,” Longmire said.
“Certainly our contested footy in the first part of the game was of a very high standard, so that was good to see.”
He said Franklin had knee tendinitis and was sore at training on Wednesday.
“It just flared up a little bit from last week, it should be alright next week,” Longmire said.
Essendon coach Mark Thompson said his men didn’t move the ball the way they needed to until they were desperate.
“Clearly they were the better side on the night, I thought we were lucky just to lose by the margin we did,” Thompson said.
“Their midfield won the battle. Their midfield clearly had more impact than ours.”
Aransan
Guest
David, we have really missed Watson and players such as Goddard, Heppell, Hibberd, Zaharakis and co have been asked to shoulder the extra burden for quite a while. The amazing thing is that they have been able to stand up for so long as they have with Heppell outstanding and Myers, Zac Merrett, Winderlich improving as well. The next two games against Richmond and West Coast are important as those sides still have mathematical chances of making the 8, so good starts will be more important than ever. We shouldn't overate our performance against Sydney as they controlled over 80% of the game and only did as much as was required to win. That is the difference between a top 2 side against a 5-8 side, but the future is bright for the Bombers with their spine of Hurley, Hooker, Watson, Carlisle/Daniher. I don't think too many supporters expected Zac Merrett to have had the season he has had.
Ruminate
Roar Guru
We didn't seem a long way off and both teams played no at their best...it's easy to criticise the umpiring when you lose, but....arm chopping, holding in the marking contest by the defender(without using hands, ala octopus style) and hands on the back to nudge an opponent under now all seem legitimate, not just in this game either. Anyway, it would have been good to win, but did not count on it up here. Goddard was very much off, and a player of his calibre just should not have been... Well, big Tom did look short of a gallop, and thinner too? Has he spent less time in the gym?
Aransan
Guest
Mark, that would be a tall and slow forward line forever getting in each others way. The addition of Daniher and the further development of him along with Carlisle and Ambrose will give more than enough tall options up forward. The weather on Friday night made it difficult to take marks. Don't even think about Bellchambers unless he shows consistent good form in the VFL.
Aransan
Guest
Mark, I have noticed that the umpires generally have gone back to paying head ducking free kicks. I don't believe you can play Carlisle, Daniher, and Bellchambers together on the forward line. Even allowing for his injuries Bellchambers has been very disappointing this year. I suspect that Bellchambers and Ryder both prefer to be the number 1 ruckmen, but after this season I am not sure Essendon would get much for him in a trade. They do need a back up ruckman though as Daniher is more of a forward and they wouldn't want to waste Carlisle by playing him in the ruck.
Mark
Guest
What were Essendon thinking... Wunderlich passed straight to Garry Rowan from full back .... goal, Dempsey passes 15 meters off the Essendon target and straight to the Swans player ... goal, Stanton runs out of bounce with the ball and loses possession after a mark..... Goddard still thinking about the 18th hole that he played in his week off and lost concentration. It looked like Essendon were simply not up for the game. To get within 22 points of the top team on their home track with a 24 to 11 against free count including 12 head ducking and Goodes academy award winner in front of goal tells me that Essendon is very close. Don criticize Belchambers. All Bombers predictions are turning into fruition. He predicts Tom will be dangerous in the finals.
Mark
Guest
Bellchamber's is required for the finals. He has only played a few games this season and it was good to see him get through the game. Tom won many important tap outs that will only get better as he gets match fitness. You saw glimpses of what Ryder can do up forward when he is released from the ruck. If Essendon can make the finals, they will be dangerous up forward. Resting ruckmen (Ryder and Bellchambers), Carlisle and Daniher with Armbrose doing the fast leads and having a physical presence.
Michael huston
Guest
Bosk, we admire Goodes because of his leadership at the club, and his obvious talent and brilliance, not for his goal-kicking. He's never played as a permanent forward as he is now, and it's the tiny things people outside the club fail to recognise. They look at him as a dual Brownlow medallist who should be either kicking bags of goals or giving Brownlow-worthy performances. At this stage in his career, at 34 and recovering from a lengthy injury lay-off, the fact he kicked two goals, had 18 possessions and ten marks more than makes up for his goal-kicking inefficiencies. He's been a master this year in setting up goals through his use of the body and subtle skills you'd miss if you blinked. I'm optimistic about our forward set up, even if I worry about how we deliver it to that zone. Even if Tippett and Buddy aren't firing, we still have Goodes and McGlynn and Parker and a legion of other mids that can pop up and kick goals. Longmire needs to just hone their ball use in so that they're confident enough to use the ball well, but not too over-confident so that they butcher the ball. Hate to sound like a broken record, but they all need to look at Malceski for lessons on how to use the ball well. Still in awe at that man. Leave me to just sit here frothing at the mouth over the talents of a defender!
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Goodes is alright from 30m- out, he'll kick it every time. He is not a power forward though that you would rely on kicks from 40m+ though I agree. He has much better accuracy on the run. In the past he has used his speed and football smarts to get around players to get it closer for the kick. He does seem to kick most of the important set shots though.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
They might seem to, but perhaps there are not better options. I think when the run is on as spectators we simply want to see that continue, but if there isn't anything up the line, teams stall waiting for an option to come up. I will admit it frustrates myself at times but I wonder if the Swans retain possession better than most when they do it like that.
Bosk
Roar Rookie
Careful there Swampy, this site is swarming with Swans fanboys who will happily foam at the mouth at the first sign their beloved AOTY is criticized. I hope you're prepared to be labeled a racist mate!
Anthony
Guest
If this was Facebook I could unlike Bosk!
Aransan
Guest
Stats don't tell you everything. How about Goodes non-set shots like running around a player on the mark, or shots when it really matters? I can remember one match when Cloke was always going to miss when it mattered and then kicked one when the match was already won.
Ruminate
Roar Guru
I actually think that could be his plan, that players must hold on to the ball and ensure that their offload hits the mark, so very few kicks to contest or if no options then handball, handball....it is is a little reminiscent of the Collingwood Malthouse era when he won the flag, without the boundary hugging boringness of that plan. Retain possession at all costs....excepting when kicked to Tippet & Buddy and use running in packs to break the lines.
Swampy
Guest
That is simply not true. Goodes is a sub-standard shot for goal and the stats back it up. He kicks around 50% on set shots.
Pope Paul vii
Guest
I'm here to help
Bosk
Roar Rookie
Don't forget to stock up on these while you're at it fellahs! http://images.calorieking.com.au/branding/dc/runtime/portionsense/105.jpg
Don Freo
Guest
A lesser side would not have believed it could do it. Interesting stat...umpire Leigh Fisher, ex-player, gave 12 free kicks to Carlton, none to Freo for the whole game. Must have played on Crowley once.
Aransan
Guest
I think Essendon missed Watson, Hibberd and Daniher more than the Swans missed their players however I agree that the Swans only did enough to win. Bellchambers didn't deserve to be in the side and perhaps his future at Essendon is limited now. I don't believe that Tippett, Franklin, Goodes and Reid can all play together on the forward line, a greater variety is needed as the Swans can't always count on their midfield to kick goals. Another problem is that Tippett and Franklin miss too many goals, or are at least erratic in kicking for goal. They can always rely on Goodes.
geoff
Guest
Essendon were the fresher team coming off a two week break. Sydney came off a 6 day break against the Hawks. I remember what they did to my poor cats when this situation was reversed.... Putting that aside, Sydney came across to me as a solid outfit with no glaring weakenesses. When Parker and McGlynn get BOG ahead of the usual suspects this speaks of a team with substantial depth. Even Gary Rohan and Cunningham are stepping up! All the signs are pointing towards them making the grand final.
Michael huston
Guest
No Malceski?? He uses the ball better than anyone on our team, and last night was another example. 27 touches and he had some fantastic pieces of play both in the forward half and back half. Plays with the confidence of a small forward but still has the most polished skills. I think the role he, Parker and McGlynn played were very different, but McGlynn over-used the ball and costed us a few inside 50s we could have had. Love his style and 8 times out of 10 he comes up with some individual brilliance, but he is a bit of a turn-over culprit.