Bombers Round 22 review: Finals draw ever closer

The Bombers went down to GMHBA Stadium for one of the stranger encounters of the year, against Gold Coast – far removed from sunny Queensland.

In years gone past, the uncertainty relating to the match as well, as the amount Essendon were talked up during the week would have resulted in the Bombers more than likely dropping the game to Gold Coast, however, the consistent Bombers smashed the Suns by 68 points in a vital percentage-boosting win for the ages.

Read on for my key takeaways from the game.

Jake Stringer – No.1 extraordinaire
Since Round 14, Jake Stringer has been rated No.1 in the league according to the AFL player ratings, and it is thanks to his dynamic addition to the midfield while still have a consistent output in terms of goals as well.

Sunday afternoon was no exception for Stringer, as he kicked five goals, had 11 score involvements and 13 contested disposals from his 19 disposals.

Stringer has become a clearance bull that is nearly impossible to stop once he has built up a head of steam. Stringer was explosive on Sunday afternoon and the Suns were helpless to stop his bull-like performance in the middle.

In years gone by, the talk surrounding Stringer in the media would’ve been enough to throw him off his game, either through the rankling nosiness of the media or the complacency that a longer-term deal provides.

However, I believe we can safely say that the security of a longer-term deal has done nothing to satiate the hunger present in him.

While it may be a little early to wax poetically about the new deal being an outright success, the early signs are positive as he provides the Bombers midfield with a point of difference as a clearance machine and flying half forward.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

If Stringer can continue to put these performances in, the comparisons to Dustin Martin will begin to be increasingly appropriate, while Stringer himself will continue from the ability of the Bombers to work around the faults in his game and give him the best chance at success.

Back six best six
The Bombers’ blue collar culture has been built from the backline this season. Players like Nick Hind and Mason Redman are emblematic of this and have given the Bombers’ backline a ruthless competitive edge over their contemporaries.

Each of these aforementioned players provided vital run and carry in support of the Bombers on their way to 30 disposals each.

The big difference that these two players represent is the accountability they hold themselves to; they’re but cogs in the larger machine willing to shut down the opposition’s best small forward – something that Adam Saad and Conor McKenna were unwilling to do.

Jayden Laverde as well is an apt representation of the changes that have been observed in the Bombers backline. He has thrived as the key defender down back, routinely taking on bigger opponents with much larger reach with the abilities of an angry bull terrier to harass and harangue the opposition.

While it is perhaps a little too much to say he played magnificently as the Bombers were playing Gold Coast, Laverde still gave up 10cm and a lot of reach when he was matched up on Ben King and held him goal-less.

The defence has steadily improved all year, going from bottom two in points again to the comparatively mediocre 11th with one round to go.

Difficult list management decisions to make
The cuts made at the end of last season to overall list sizes has meant sides like the Bombers have been forced into making potentially deeper cuts than they normally would.

The Bombers currently have 17 players out of contract, ranging from stalwarts like Patrick Ambrose and Cale Hooker to development prospects like Kaine Baldwin and Cian McBride, and scions of famous names like Tom Hird and Lachie Johnson.

While the news is mostly good for Essendon, I do get the feeling that they’re going to be forced into making some cuts they don’t want to make.

The decision has become even more complicated with players like Dylan Clarke (a goal and 15 disposals), Tom Cutler (16 disposals), and Matt Guelfi (15 disposals and two goals) all putting in solid performances, despite being the whipping boys in the eyes of many Bombers supporters.

There are several players on the list who provide important depth and can provide important relief in a pinch, particularly when halfway through this season, I believe that several of these players were not going to get contracts next year.

Final thoughts
If you were to tell me even six months ago that my Bombers would be on the edge of an unlikely finals campaign, I would’ve questioned your sanity.

Yet Ben Rutten and co. have put in workmanlike performances in the coaching department to have the Bombers playing with renewed confidence and hopefully, with time, they can make a prolonged charge at the top four and even premiership success.

Without further ado, let us talk about the best.

Best six
6. Matt Guelfi (7 votes)

5. Dyson Heppell (28 votes)

4. Nick Hind (24 votes)

3. Mason Redman (22 votes)

2. Darcy Parish (65 votes)

1. Jake Stringer (47 votes)

Leaderboard
Zach Merret, Darcy Parish (65 votes)

Jake Stringer (47 votes)

Dyson Heppell (28 votes)