Round 9 2018 – Essendon v Geelong

Geelong v Essendon

 

 

So, this was country week.  The hay bales should have been inside the ‘G not outside! Such was the size of the crowd. Even the snakes and crocodiles should have got a reserved seat. Essendon has nothing going for it at the moment. I would be surprised even if a plane was flying out of the drome.

 

Things are bad at Bomber land and could get worse.

 

Well they certainly did not get worse in the first term. Led by a brilliant Shaun McKernan, the Bombers left Geelong in their slip stream as they outplayed, out marked, out tackled and out scored the hapless Cats. Déjà vu from last year?

 

The Essendon side leapt out to a five-goal lead before Crameri and Dangerfield scored successive goals in Essendon’s quarter, as their ferocity in tackling saw them nearly double the kitten’s output in the first term.  It was a pretty dismal Geelong but a resurgent Bombers outfit that took the points in the first term. They also won back a few friends. Funny how we desert a sinking ship in football land.

 

If you thought Essendon were playing on luck, think again. Stewart, Fantasia and McKernan his fourth completely outplayed the hapless Cats to score easy goals. It was Bombs away!

 

Guelfi added insult to injury to put Essendon 43 points up half way through the term.  There is no way Geelong will get back from this outing.

 

To show how dominant Essendon where, it took Geelong 19 minutes to record their first score for the quarter – a point from Ablett. In the words of Tim Lane “they had lose men everywhere”.  It was a drubbing of the first order and a 42 deficit at the long interval would not be diminished.

 

The Dons should have had the game completely sewn up 10 minutes into the third term but inaccurate kicking for goal saw five them score points in a row.  Geelong still not had scored a goal since 24 minutes into the first quarter.

 

At last! Dangerfield on the run from Crameri. Goal!  About bloody time!  With 36 players on the ball scoring has been most difficult.  The back halves of both teams were having a picnic. Still, Essendon held the running and when Fantasia (2) goaled it seemed all over for the meek Geelong team.

 

At orange time both teams had only added a further goal to their score and Essendon had increased their lead to 48 points.

 

A bit of country at three quarter time with a Don supporter walking the board around with the winner of the home team’s raffle.  Wonder whether it was the good old meat tray?

 

Stringer, who had been useful, dropped the final bomb 10 minutes into the last quarter. Essendon up by 53 points.

 

Hawkins, who had not contributed much, kicked his first goal of the game. Too little to late. He was to finish with three goals for the quarter and the game but the damage had been done in the first three terms and the Dons had eased of in the last quarter.

 

McKenna’s goal on the run summed up Essendon’s complete reversal of form. A 34 point victory was a fitting performance. They have now beaten three of the top teams.

 

As a Geelong man from way back this was one of their worst performances ever.  If they had four good players on the day, that would have been one too many.

 

Questions must now be thrown back to coach Scott. Dangerfield in the ruck? Ablett carrying an injury? Smith not up to it. What about Rhys Stanley when they needed him?   Another class performance in the Ressies with 4 goals, and what about Gideon Haigh’s favourite Wylie Buzza? Where was the hapless Smith’s backup?

 

Will Geelong rue the day they got G. Ablett back?  I am inclined to think “yes”. He is getting caught too easily, lacks penetration in his kicks. There is no doubt that Scott is picking the team around one player – a fateful mistake.

 

Questions, questions, questions and very few answers.

 

Full credit to Essendon.  They played like a team possessed and got their just reward.

 

 

Essendon:  5-2. 9-5.10-11. 12 – 12 – 84

Geelong:    2 -2. 2–3. 3-5.  7 – 8 – 50

 

 

 

Goals:

Essendon: McKernan 4, Fantasia 2, McKenna, Heppell, Stewart, Stringer, Baguley, Gueli

Geelong:  Hawkins 3, Dangerfield 2, J. Selwood, Crameri

 

 

Umpires: Schmidt, Hay, Whetton

Crowd:  50,228 at the MCG

 

MALARKEY MEDAL

3. S.McKERNAN (Ess)
4. C.HOOKER (Ess)
5. Z.MERRETT (Ess)

 

1. After witnessing two matches “live and others during the weekend I have come to the conclusion that goal umpires are now “twinning” their cricket comrades. Some of their go to the video” moments are unbelievable Can’t give a decision when the obvious is being stated.

 

 

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