The battle of the contenders has gone the way of the Demons on points. While it looked at times as if Melbourne would land a knock out blow on Essendon, the Bombers finished the match strong to improve the scoreline, and finish with some respectability.
The match saw two pre-season contenders touted as teams to watch coming in with less than attractive 2-3 records, the loser of today’s match with all the work to do for a finals spot.
It was Essendon who started the stronger, however they simply could not land the killer blow on the scoreboard to put the game out of the reach of the hard playing Demons.
Some early yips in front of goal for Max Gawn gave a scare to Melbourne fans of the portents to come, however Essendon’s own inaccuracy only had them six points ahead at half time.
The second half was all Melbourne, as Bayley Fritsch helped himself to three goals for the match, ably assisted by Mitch Hannan and Jake Melksham, who himself had two goals to his name.
For the Bombers, they just never really clicked, and once Melbourne got their act together, Essendon just could not keep up.
Jake Stringer, with only nine disposals, had three goals for a good output. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti played well also, but aside from those two players, the Bombers did not have enough contributors to mount an attack to take the game.
So Melbourne will enjoy a 50-50 record going into the next round, with winnable games before them. As for Essendon, a tough contest awaits up next against Hawthorn, an occasion that is always a hard affair, and no doubt the bombers will lift for that one.
Meanwhile, Charlie Spargo, continuing a long line of family to play for the Dees, had a good day out, with 18 disposals and two goals.
Essendon Bombers 10.12.72
Melbourne Demons 16.12.108
Aransan
Guest
Daniher has lost all confidence and teammates are not directing the ball to him. He clearly has issues with his goal kicking and whatever he has been doing to fix this hasn't been working. If the Bulldogs can play Tom Boyd in the VFL then Essendon can do the same with Daniher, and he should be given help with his kicking whether he wants it or not. He doesn't have a set routine for kicking from the same position on the ground and this is unprofessional. He relies too much on confidence and worries too much about outcomes rather than developing a correct technique and letting the results look after themselves. It is too hard to address these problems while playing at the top level -- drop Daniher to the VFL, move Hooker back to the forward line and play Hartley in his place on the backline.
Aransan
Guest
I have to agree.
Bill Larkin
Guest
Correct. And if the Demons have to rely on percentage to make the eight it will be a failed year. Should win the next three games, which, in a very even year, would put them in the top six or so.
Tony Tea
Guest
"the Bombers finished the match strong to improve the scoreline, and finish with some respectability" The correct phrase you are looking for is "junk time".