It is just Round 2. With 21 rounds to go, the AFL home-and-away season has plenty left in store for all teams.
So, knowing that the season has barely begun, what can we read into Essendon beating the Hawks? Downing the defending premiers and league yardstick Hawthorn by two points isn’t a big deal, is it?
No, it is. And here is why.
After two years of uncertainty, innuendo, rumours, front page headlines and arguments among fans, Essendon is now without a cloud hanging over their heads.
With the saga overshadowing even their pre-season, the Essendon players are now able to get back to doing what they do best – playing football. With no threats of doping sanctions and their true mentor in the box, Bombers fans were treated to an inspirational start to the home-and-away season in Sydney.
Finding myself on a bus at 3am Saturday morning with roughly 200 other Essendon fans, we were dropped off at ANZ stadium where a representative of Essendon handed us a ticket to the game. These weren’t nose-bleeds as you often get when winning a prize. These were ground level tickets, positioned behind the goals.
The game ended disappointingly, but not without some very positive signs. It reminded us that fade-outs were still an issue, as they have been for a large portion of the last decade.
Essendon let a 41-point lead slide into a 12-point loss. However, there was a lot of pride to be taken out of this game. For a start, Essendon managed to get to this lead in wet conditions against a very quality opponent. The players showed courage and skill that felt lacking in the 2014 campaign. James Hird, in his press conference, was very upbeat advising us to “watch this space”.
We are James, don’t worry.
Given the hiding Hawthorn had handed Geelong the week earlier, expectations were not high. Hawthorn was clinical, clean, fast, skilled and fierce. They have become the dream team of the AFL and were widely tipped to perform a three-peat to accompany their 2013-2014 flags.
The games started as a close, but low-scoring affair. Essendon came out of the blocks as if possessed, applying pressure not seen from an Essendon outfit for years. Hawthorn was able to withstand this pressure and provided an enthralling contest which was highly skilled, fast and a joy to watch.
In the second quarter, Essendon was able to apply some scoreboard pressure to accompany the physical pressure, allowing them to control the game.
Essendon not only led at halftime on the score-board, but in every key statistic bar clearances. However discussing with the friends I was seated next to, it was clear that there were still concerns that Essendon could fade.
We were constantly mindful of our opponent and cautious in our celebration.
The third quarter showed our worries were well founded as Hawthorn closed the lead to just 8 points. While it was clear that Essendon had not completely fallen away, Hawthorn gained the ascendency that quarter. Scoring four goals to two and dominating the general play, Hawthorn used its experience and coolness under pressure to great effect.
The fourth quarter was a see-sawing event with Hawthorn kicking four unanswered goals to lead by 16 points with just minutes to go. Essendon had by no means rolled over, however the Hawthorn fans were getting louder and some Essendon fans had begun to leave the stadium.
The game ended on a tightrope. The Bombers scored three quick goals to Jake Carlisle, Travis Colyer and the most unlikely of goal kickers, Cale Hooker, respectively. A Hawthorn clearance saw them go forwards again, repelled by a brave smother and molar loosening tackle. The ball then found the boundary line with 15 seconds left.
Surely it was over? No, Hawthorn was not done with yet. A clever kick while being tackled and a quick kick forward saw the ball back in Hawthorns 50 with seconds to go.
The siren sounded mere seconds from what would have been a game winning goal to Luke Breust.
The stadium thundered on the final siren with the emotion and relief being expressed as loud cheering, hugs and high fives to complete strangers. The emotion on the field was equally prevalent, with scenes of Jobe Watson running around with as big a grin as we have ever seen.
You would have been forgiven for thinking it was a grand final win, but it was just Round 2. For Essendon, this was like a grand final. Ten days prior they were not sure if they would be playing, let alone beating the highly fancied reigning premiers.
They had taken on the world in an unprecedented, hopefully never to be repeated sequence of issues and prevailed. Essendon were playing like a team that truly understood the privilege of being in the AFL.
Having come so close to losing this privilege, Essendon players showed that they understood the significance of being on the hallowed turf of the MCG. If there is a silver lining to the last two years, it would surely be the bond that they players have formed with each other.
What will come of the rest of Essendon’s 2015 campaign is yet to unfold, however it is clear that the players are enjoying their football again and all fans will benefit from that.
conchie
Roar Rookie
It was a tainted stitched up report designed to fit a narrative, not one player was interviewed. There was no admission of guilt because no one actually thought they were guilty Essendon threw open its doors, computer records, players and coaching staff, they were complimented by ASADA as extremely helpful, yet after 2 years they had no proof.
Brian
Guest
And still no admission of guilt despite the finding of the original in-house report from Ziggy Switkowski. If there's one team I hope don't win it this year its Essendon
Brian
Guest
Dalgety is right and as an example if the ATO find against a taxpayer and it goes to court onus of proof is on the taxpayer. Not dissimilar to ASADA. Essendon's players were very lucky with the burden of proof working in their favor. Amazing that Essendon kept no records yet Watson keeps his brownlow whilst Chris Grant doesn't get his.
Brian
Guest
i dont think the sydney of 2012 was any better then the 2014 version which just couldnt get a midfield footing on gf day. if you play 2012 10 times i reckon the swans win about 2. if you replayed 2014 they win about 5 albeit the one they get thrashed is the one that ocurred.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Sorry Dalgety, there was in fact both zero evidence of use and no direct evidence of use. Positive samples are not the only means by which one can collect direct evidence of use (noting that ASADA actually sent samples overseas for testing and these came back negative). One can rely on witness statements, admissions, and other forms of evidence. The fact is that ASADA had no evidence of use. Not only that, the evidence in relation to the procurement of the said substance was so threadbare that the tribunal didn't even need to consider the question of whether the players actually used. Not only that, ASADA was actually relying on a forged document to prove that the substances were actually procured. In short, ASADA ended up being a zillion miles away from being able to prove use, it wasn't even a close run thing, they weren't even in the ball park.
Marc
Guest
Dalgety I am sorry but the onus is on the prosecution to prove their case not on the defence to disprove it. If Police charge someone with possession of a dangerous drug for instance, the Police have to prove to the Court that the substance is a dangerous drug, usually via an analysts certificate proving the substance is a drug and that the drug is prohibited. If they cannot then the charge is not proven and is rightfully thrown out.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
No Hawthorn won't use it as an excuse, after all they'll want to put their focus on things they can control. But six-day breaks do have an impact on a teams likelihood to win a game of footy. Sydney's hardly travelling and the Bombre's did take the last quarter off, but they did do well to put themselves in a position to win the game against the Hawks and 4pts is 4pts, nevetheless in forecasting what it might mean there is some context.
Jim
Guest
"Just one final point, after watching what the Swans did to Port, not sure there are any sides that can overcome that" The problem for the Swans is that Hawthorn have shown they can, in most of their recent clashes. I'm hoping performances like Rd 2 will be regular for the Swans this year - as it was a great display of their style of football, and included some harking back to the 'slingshot footy' of 2012 - which I think can still possibly overcome the greatness of the current Hawks team.
JP Amparis
Roar Rookie
Agreed that Hawthorn were without some key players, but you miss the point of the article. Furthermore, Hawthorn will not blame its missing players for the loss, nor will they blame the slightly shorter break - especially when you consider that Essendon were also without key players like Dustin Fletcher, David Myers and Jason Winderlich. They may have also had 2 days extra as a break but they were traveling home from a tough game against Sydney over there coupled with an underdone pre-season competition. Hawthorn won't use it as an excuse.
JP Amparis
Roar Rookie
Forcing the accused to prove their innocence is directly against the structure of our legal system. Burden of proof is always on the accuser for the simple reason that it is often impossible to prove something didn't happen.
Me Too
Guest
The cloud is still lingering. wait for WADA to decide first. But regardless, for the vast majority of football fans Essendon will remain on the nose - and rightly so. Disgusting behaviour from the club. Stupidity from the players. 'Whatever it takes' - yeah right.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
They didn't have zero evidence of use. There was no direct evidence of use, i.e. positive samples. At the end of the day I'm not sure the ruling by the tribunal is in the spirit of other sport tribunals on this sort of thing. Generally the onus is placed more on the offending parties to prove they've not been doing anything illegal when they engage in such surreptitious and unusual practices of the sort Essendon indulged in.
Lazza
Guest
Dank claims he left all the records at Essendon. So where are they now?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Hate to prick the bubble too much with an injection of a little bit of reality, but the win is tempered by the fact the Hawks were coming off a six day break and were short of some key players to boot. Oh and the cloud hasn't fully gone away, just yet.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Firstly, Essendon didn't appear before the AFL anti-doping tribunal, 34 footballers did. All 34 players were cleared of having used Thymosin Beta-4 (that's what they were charged with). The 34 players were found not guilty because ASADA failed to provide sufficient evidence to comfortably satisfy the AFL anti-doping tribunal that the 34 players had used Thymosin Beta-4. The main problem with ASADA's case was that, ahem, they actually had zero evidence of use, i.e. the case should never have gone anywhere near a tribunal. Not only did ASADA provide zero evidence of actual use, the main documentary evidence underpinning their whole case ended up being a forged document.
Lazza
Guest
It was the AFL's decision Pete. Essendon were suspended from Finals, fined and the coach banned for a year because they kept no records. They were cleared of doping because there were no records? Does that sound right to you? It doesn't sound right to ASADA who may yet appeal this farce.
Janey 3 putt
Guest
Well said
AR
Guest
It was certainly the worst half of football seen from Hawthorn in a very long time. And they were missing 3 All Australians. But no excuses, Essendon were very good and made the competition sit up and take notice.
JP Amparis
Roar Rookie
Your last comment about Hawthorn not letting it happen again easily is very true. While Essendon exposed a weakness to the entire competition, Hawthorn will have no doubt dissected the game and be working on a strategy to counter Essendons strategy. Their season is far from over and they will be a force in finals again this year.
JP Amparis
Roar Rookie
It is often hard to determine if a team looks lax because they were outplayed or if they genuinely had an off game. Either way, the resolve of Hawthorn to fight back in the 2nd half and the determination of Essendon to withstand and still win is to be commended. However citing missing players isn't really relevant given no team can field their best side. Bear in mind that Essendon was also missing key players like Fletcher, Winderlich and Myers. As for the clubs habit of coming out strong and finishing poorly, I completely agree. This has been a trait of James Hirds coaching career. Hopefully as the team and coaching staff matures this will be relieved however only time will tell us for sure. The swans looked terrific against Port. They are still a top side and clearly looking to make amends for their lackluster Grand Final last year.