Gold Coast vs Essendon highlights: AFL scores, blog, results

Match Result:

It may have been a battle of two bottom four teams but what an entertaining game at Metricon Stadium and what a thrilling finish with Jake Carlisle missing from a snap on the siren that would have won the game for the Bombers.

>>MATCH REPORT: Day head knock mars Suns win

The Suns would have only themselves to blame if they lost as they kicked 2.6 in the last quarter, missing five set shots and a couple out on the full. The Suns looked home with three minutes remaining leading by 16 points, but two quick goals by the Bombers got them back in the game.

Courtenay Dempsey who was dangerous all night up forward and gave the Bombers some spark took possession with seconds remaining and looked like he was going to straighten up and shoot. But instead he handballed to Carlisle who was sideways to the goal and had to quickly snap. He got under it too far and missed to the right as the siren sounded.

Well-deserved win by the Suns who played well and led for most of the game. Aaron Hall was fantastic again in the middle and the Suns showed they have a terrific future with youngsters Harley Bennell, Jack Martin, Brandon Matera, Jesse Lonergan and Kade Kolodjashnj all showing silky skills and pace.

The Bombers would have been disappointed not to win after a tumultuous week but interim coach Matthew Egan would have been pleased with the great effort his players contributed in his first game in charge.

Defender Michael Hurley continued on with his All Australian form in his return after 3 weeks out injured and was a rock in defence. Ruckman Shaun McKernan had his best game of his career, finishing with 24 disposals, 11 of which were contested, 9 marks and three goals.

Gold Coast 14.13.97 def. Essendon 14.11.95

Match Preview:

The Essendon Bombers will be looking to put a tumultuous week behind them when they take on fellow cellar-dwellers the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:35pm (AEST).

It’s been an emotional week for Essendon, as club legend James Hird stood down as coach after a horror three months that saw the Bombers lose 10 of their 11 eleven games, including three 100-point drubbings.

Last week’s 112-point capitulation against the Adelaide Crows proved the final straw. After a competitive first quarter the Bombers were completely overrun and outscored 24 goals to 4 over the last three quarters.

Since early May, when WADA decided to appeal the AFL tribunal’s decision on the supplements saga, the Bombers’ players have dropped their bundle, understandably so after nearly three years of uncertainty.

Interim coach Matthew Egan takes over for the last three weeks and he will be hoping that a fresh start may turn around some of their on-field form against an undermanned Suns.

The Suns have also endured a poor season after most pundits expected them to push for a finals spot this season. Off-field issues and injuries have affected their season as new coach Rodney Eade has tried to implement a tougher culture by eliminating poor habits.

The Suns are coming off their second biggest loss of the season after being overrun by the Tigers last week in an 83-point thumping. The Suns were within three goals at halftime but were outscored by 14 goals to three in the last half.

However their form prior to that loss wasn’t too bad, with a win over the Lions and an exciting draw against second-placed Eagles in their last match at Metricon.

Key forward Tom Lynch has been in excellent form, with 16 goals from his last four games, Harley Bennell has bounced back well from disciplinary issues, and Aaron Hall has enjoyed his extended run in the midfield. Key defender Steven May has done well on top forwards recently, keeping Josh Kennedy and Jack Riewoldt relatively quiet.

The Bombers welcome back their best player this season, Michael Hurley, who has been in All Australian form in defence. The Bombers have conceded an average 130 points a game in the last three weeks that Hurley has been injured.

Prediction
Both teams are undermanned, with several key players out and others off for operations with an eye to next year. The Suns, who are without their four best midfielders, have lost Charlie Dixon and Trent McKenzie this week and are probably playing their weakest team this season.

Bomber fans will be happy just to see their team put in a competitive, four-quarter effort and give them some hope for the future as one of the darkest seasons in their long history draws to a close.

The Suns have never beaten Essendon in their only four encounters, this could be their best chance.

Suns by 6 points.