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Opinion
The Bombers won an important match for the context of their season. However, they did so in the most unconvincing fashion.
This was a match of two halves for the Bombers one where they appeared apathetic and slow, and another in which they brought the heat and all 22 players were able to engage.
Duzza’s debut
I will always respect the ability of Adrian Doddorro to make something out of nothing. The Midseason Draft is no exception. Both Sam Durham and Will Snelling laced up the boots on Sunday Aftrenoon (a league first), and both were able to contribute in their respective roles for the team.
It was a positive if understated first match for the young Durham, and aside from an absolute howler of a set shot he was able to play his role for the team today. I wouldn’t say that Durham set the world on fire with his 11 disposals (at 82 per cent efficiency I might add) but he was able to contribute and play a positive role for the Bombers.
Peter Wright: The sauce comes home
Peter Wright has been a solid and serviceable recruit for the Bombers since crossing from the Suns. He brings a vital strength in the air, and a serviceable set shot on goal. Wright was able to being a leading light for the Bombers in the absence of Harry Jones, and the poor form of Cale Hooker.
While these terms might seem hyperbolic for a man who was never quite able to put things together at the Suns was able to assist the Bombers with 3 goals one behind from his 20 disposals and ten hitouts to put a cameo performance in for the Bombers.
In a week dominated by the news of the exposure of a high-profile Bomber and the movement of a flexible fixture Wright brought an important stability with his performance.
Bombers reliant on fast finishing yet again
The Bombers did not appear to respect the Kangaroos, jogging for large parts of the first half and only laying a paltry seven tackles for the first quarter.
The Bombers appeared bereft of any impetus or urgency to pressure the Kangaroos with Fox Footy’s pressure gauge barely even registering pressure for the first part of their match. The Kangaroos appeared to want the win substantially more in the shadows of half time.
As I said on the live comments thread it almost felt like the Bombers were tanking as they filed yet another chapter in the strange experience that is the machinations surrounding the bottom half of the eight this season.
The Bombers were not expected to be challenging at this point of their development, however, like 2017 they are confronted with facing the red hot Swans in a potential elimination final.
While it’s good to see the Bombers over perform I can’t help but wonder whether the higher draft pick would be more important for the development of the Bombers.
Jake Stringer storming to a possible Critchon Medal
Jake Stringer has been criticised in his time at the Bombers, mainly for poor taste in tattoos, but also for lack of self-efficacy. For the second time in four rounds Stringer was able to kick four goals to take his season total to 29 as he appears to finally be able to at least match his best return of 34 goals for the Bombers.
However, he has added another string to his bow (not a pun I promise) and that is his bullocking clearance work. He had another five clearances today to go with 17 disposals and 4 goals, while he has never quite obtained the heights of his Bulldogs career, he gives the Bombers forward line and midfield something completely different that is only held by a handful of players like Dustin Martin and Jordan De Goey.
A unique mix of explosiveness and strength in the air that lends a more mercurial style to the Bombers, one that I hope will be at the Bombers for another three to four years.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Final thoughts
This season has been derailed by COVID 19 yet again, that does not shape as good for the Bombers as they lost the previous five games at Metricon leading up to today.
This was an exceptionally frustrating match to watch but the Bombers were able to grind out the win and put themselves in the Eight, hopefully next week they will be able to stay in the eight.
Best on ground:
Will Snelling (10 Votes).
Matt Guelfi (6 votes).
Zach Merrett (56 votes).
Dyson Heppell (20 votes).
Peter Wright (13 votes).
Jake Stringer (37 votes).
Leaderboard:
Zach Merrett (56 Votes).
Darcy Parish (51 Votes).
Jake Stringer (37 Votes).
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