Melbourne Demons vs Essendon Bombers: Dons outdo Dees in high-scoring affair

Match result:

The Essendon Bombers have defeated the Melbourne Demons by 18 points at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to gain their first win of the 2019 season.

Jake Stringer led the way for the Bombers tonight as the forward finished the game with four majors. He was not the only one, as Shaun McKernan and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti also kicked four each. Dylan Shiel was also impressive collecting 31 disposals.

As for the Demons, where do they go from here? Sitting at 0-3, it will be a tough task to make finals now.

Angus Brayshaw was the shining light for Melbourne, as he finished the game with 34 disposals. James Harmes was good in front of goal, as he finished with three majors for the night.

Final score
Melbourne Demons 18.4.112
Essendon Bombers 20.10.130

Match preview:

The Melbourne Demons and the Essendon Bombers will both be looking for a first victory of the 2019 season at the Melbourne Cricket Ground tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm (AEDT).

For Simon Goodwin, having no wins next to his name after two rounds is not what he would have wanted, or probably have predicted.

The Demons were humbled last weekend against the Geelong Cats at GMHBA Stadium. The 80-point loss no doubt would have impacted the confidence of those in the red and blue.

What will concern Goodwin was not only the fact his side conceded 126 points, but also the fact they could only kick the six goals themselves.

If there was one positive, it was Clayton Oliver, who finished the game with 44 disposals. Jake Melksham also booted two majors for the Demons.

In team news for Melbourne this week, Steven May (groin) and Tom Sparrow (omitted) make way for Corey and Josh Wagner.

As for the Bombers, it has been a week to forget. They were outplayed for large portions against the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium last weekend, and eventually lost the game by 11 points.

Zach Merrett found plenty of the football, finishing the game with 27 disposals. Dyson Heppell also kicked two majors.

Another positive for the Bombers was Jake Stringer. Statistically he did not have a breakout game, but he looked a real threat and the most likely to snatch the game away from the Saints.

However, it was not to be the case and John Worsfold’s side appear to be at the crossroads.

In team news for the Bombers this week, Mitch Brown and Kyle Langford have been omitted. Zac Clarke and Kobe Mutch come into the side.

Prediction
It will be a fascinating game to watch. Both sides cannot lose, as they were both tipped for a finals campaign this season.

Whoever leaves this game without the points will not be playing finals this season, as recovering from 0-3 is almost impossible.

The Bombers just aren’t as good as what everyone seems to believe, and despite Melbourne making the exact same start to the season as Essendon, I think they will win fairly comfortably at the MCG.

The Demons by 19 points.

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm (AEDT).

When: 7:50pm (AEDT)
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
TV: Channel 7 and Fox Footy
Betting: Demons $1.36, Bombers $2.96

Melbourne Demons
B: Lockhart, O. McDonald, Jetta
HB: J. Wagner, Frost, Salem
C: Hunt, Oliver, Jones
HF: Harmes, Weideman, Kolodjashnij
F: A. Brayshaw, T. McDonald, Melksham
FOLL: Gawn, Petracca, Viney
I/C: Hibberd, Neal-Bullen, Fritsch, C. Wagner

Essendon Bombers
B: Francis, Ambrose, McKenna
HB: Mutch, Hurley, Saad
C: Fantasia, Z. Merrett, McGrath
HF: Stringer, Clarke, McDonald-Tipungwuti
F: Smith, McKernan, Baguley
FOLL: Bellchambers, Zaharakis, Shiel
I/C: Guelfi, Heppell, Myers, Parish