Essendon have outlasted the GWS Giants at Spotless Stadium to record their fourth win of the season, and their second in a row.
The game started brightly with consecutive goals to Mark Baguley in the opening minutes. Both sides showed plenty of attacking intent in the first term, but the Bombers’ superior defensive pressure gave them the early ascendancy.
The second quarter continued similarly, with Essendon threatening to kick away as the Giants found scoring difficult. When a long Goddard roost somehow bounced through from almost 65 the margin was out to 22 points.
But a lapse in intensity and a few careless errors by the visitors were eagerly seized upon by the Giants. In a burst of dominant footy GWS reeled off three goals to close the margin within a kick. Essendon recovered their composure to maintain their lead, ten points at half time.
While it had been a free flowing, entertaining first half, the third quarter by comparison was much more dour and tense.
The Giants had the better of the first few minutes, but were frustrated by the Bombers’ dogged defending and – frankly – their own mistakes at important moments.
Essendon worked their way back into the game but they too couldn’t capitalise on their chances.
When a scintillating move down the wing by GWS resulted in a goal, the margin at the final change was within a kick and it appeared to be anyone’s game.
But a moment of madness by Giant defender Adam Tomlinson seemed to swing momentum firmly in the Bombers direction.
With neither side able to score a major early in the final term, James Stewart took a mark from a tough scoring position on the half forward flank. But Tomlinson, arriving late, pushed him over out of apparent frustration, and was walked to the goalsquare where the former Giant forward kicked the goal.
That incident seemed to deflate the Giants and the Bombers took immediate advantage. They rattled off two more quick goals in as many minutes as GWS struggled to find the ball or any composure.
When Mark Baguley marked and goaled to extend the margin to 30 points it was clear the game was over, the man who started the scoring for the Bombers effectively ending the contest.
After that, it appeared as though the sting had gone out of the game; GWS had been finding scoring difficult all night.
While they managed a brief rally of two goals to at least spark the idea of a comeback, the most notable moments late in the game were an unsporting headbutt by Dylan Buckley that will no doubt be reviewed during the week, and some icing on the cake by the Bombers to push the margin out further.
The final deficit of 35 points looks like a comfortable Essendon win, and they were in front all night, but in truth the game was decided in a few minutes early in the final quarter.
For the defeated Giants, Steven Coniglio and Heath Shaw can hold their heads high, each playing superb individual games. Hopper, Lobb and Ward were also good, but sadly they had too many passengers.
For the Bombers, Zaharakis was at his damaging best, while Heppell and Merrett were good at contests. Baguley and Stringer each kicked three, while Devon Smith reminded his former team of his worth with 13 tackles in a brutally effective display around half forward.
This result appears to have very real implications for the rest of the season.
While both teams sit on four wins, the Giants ahead by dint of that draw with St Kilda, I think most would agree that right now Essendon look the more likely of the two to push for finals this season.
GWS are terribly out of form and confidence, will continue to miss key players over the next few weeks and indeed the season, and can’t seem to rely on beating teams either at home or on the road.
I suspect we’re getting to the end of Leon Cameron’s tenure as coach of the club.
For the Bombers, while it’s a long way back after their shambolic start to 2018, they’ve strung together two impressive performances and appear to have the weapons to consistently beat good teams.
Next week they face Richmond, who haven’t been entirely convincing lately, and that would certainly get them up and about if they knocked off the reigning premiers.
Final score
GWS Giants 8.12.60
Essendon Bombers 14.11.95
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