Darcy Parish missing a sitter to keep the Swans in the game just prior to halftime, before threading through the match-winner from the boundary in the final minute, is pure Essendon.
What should have been clinical had to be saved by a piece of magic.
Their supporters, admittedly accustomed to football-induced aneurysms, were having flashbacks of Gary Rohan on the line and Dane Rampe up the post.
It’s the second time in as many games the Bombers have teetered on the edge of disastrous defeat this season. They all but stopped playing in the second half against Fremantle in Round 1, and they lacked the polish and conviction to put the Swans away on the weekend.
Parish, ironically, was the man who got the job done in Sydney. In a shortened final quarter, he collected 13 disposals and four inside-50s to go along with his major. No stranger to hard yakka, the son of a sheep shearer has unmistakably come of age since he was left out of the side in early 2019.
It may be too soon to gauge what these two wins say about the Dons’ growth under a revamped coaching panel imported from Punt Road. Would they have held on in both of these encounters in previous years? Probably not – and a team’s ability to drag itself over the line despite spluttering on the way there can be vital. But objectively, they’ve played two rebuilding clubs who should be easy fodder for any side worth their salt in 2020.
Or perhaps, on the back of two fruitful trade periods in 2017 and 2018, the club has increased their capacity to bank the four points when things don’t go their way. For most of Sunday, for example, the Swans suffocated their run and dash – the SCG has certainly proved problematic for the Dons in the past. Yet the quality of the Bombers’ cattle found a way to wrestle goals through when required.
Jake Stringer’s hands were strong. Devon Smith was buzzing around and being a nuisance. Zach Merrett won it inside, outside and everywhere else.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Even their most recent, less-attacking trade period may prove important. Jacob Townsend brings a slice of mongrel to a side mainly full of choir boys. He’s not shy of plonking someone on his arse if given the chance, as Josh Kennedy found out under a hospital handpass.
But if Essendon are to make anything of this season, it will be built on their backline.
Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker have rarely both been fit at the same time, but right now are dependable key defensive posts. They give Aaron Francis and Jordan Ridley licence to intercept in the air and use their kicks on the ground. At one stage, they weathered seven straight inside-50s from the surging Swans.
With Patrick Ambrose and Marty Gleeson waiting in the wings, as long as some sort of structure can be adhered to, the Dons should be tough to score against. That’s not something that’s been said of red and black sides of late.
For most of John Worsfold’s tenure, Essendon has had only one modus operandi: absorb an opponent’s attack and take it the length of the field. They’ve often played with an irresponsible amount of risk. One wayward kick and it would all fall apart. God help them if it rained.
Now, Ben Rutten and Blake Caracalla have been brought in to structure them up. To implement something repeatable. To help them win ugly.
And they’ve certainly been doing that.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
What I wanna see is how does essendon go when the chips are down this year? We might see it against Carlton or Melbourne we will definitely see it against the pies
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
North are still a ways off yet I think, just consider the two matches they played against essendon last year, both were losses but got vastly different reasons. One was a north rout and the other was a McDonald tippungwuti loves playing footy special
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Now now essendon should’ve won last year were it not for an extremely poor umpiring decision
1DER
Guest
Freo are yet to establish who is in their best 22 from the 14 players of 26 pushing for selection.
1DER
Guest
Been in front and controlled the game for three quarters. Got to see what happens when they trail for the bulk of the game?
1DER
Guest
As stated previously the Pies are only able to win flags played in October. Big chance again this year.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Good response. From last& this season, this is who I believe is top 8, no order. Cats, tigers, pies, port, giants, maybe wce, Brisbane, maybe north. Sydney 15th. Fremantle maybe tenth.
James Robinson
Roar Rookie
For all the talk about Essendon just getting over the line in both its games, they are currently 180mins time ahead and 0 mins time behind. Just a fun stat there.
James Robinson
Roar Rookie
The problem is that no one knows what a top 8 side looks like this year yet. Essendon did manage to beat Sydney, who were 8th, in Sydney, where they hadn't won in a decade, after flying up the day of for the first time ever, and led start to finish. There is just too much weird going on this year to definitively state who is and who isnt a contender. Will need a few weeks yet to even get close to figuring that out
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Don’t really care to be honest Mr Right.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Whats your thoughts on Port wearing the prison bar jumper for the big event?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
All these articles on the Dons. They have won two against flotsam. If they beat a top eight side, maybe notice them.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Walla is elite in the small forward category but aside from that they have a lot players clogging up the above average category. I firmly believe McGrath, Parrish and Merrett could become elite
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
He’s elite at being injured doi.
Rissole
Roar Rookie
Sorry Peter, should have included Collingwood as the discussion was about grand finals.
Nick
Roar Guru
Daniher, allegedly. The most elite injured player in the history of the game if the Dons weren't prepared to accept 2 first round draft picks for him.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It’s an interesting question isn’t it. Brisbane have Neale Carlton Cripps Pies
CoxPendlebury Richmond Dusty Freo Fyfe Etc…who is elite at the Bombers?Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Well, technically Paul, the Pies will more likely be 20 goals up at three quarter time and still find a way to lose.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Not if they're playing the Pies they won't
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Melbourne may well win easy this week