Round 12 – Essendon v Port Adelaide: Bomber’s Season Powers Up

         

On the basis of this season’s close competition, this win meant so much to Essendon, their fans and their season.

It had to be one of their best performances of the year and one that would make all Essendon fans proud and even more excited if they can take it all the way to the finals. It was an inspired Essendon outfit which kicked the first 5 goals of the match. They continued their dominance throughout the match without dropping their lead. Cale Hooker started off the game with full confidence finishing with 9 marks and 5 goals in his best performance of the year. Young pair Conor Mckenna and Andrew McGrath looked clean and experienced in defense putting in one of their best performances of the year. It seemed to all, that Essendon’s midfield finally clicked together in a dominate display with the likes of Zach Merrett (38 possessions), Dyson Heppell (34) and David Zaharakis (26) who didn’t stop running.

 

Jobe Watson had one of his best games of the year with 30 touches and a goal. The goal earned a standing ovation by the his beloved fans as it was his first in 742 days (round 9, 2015). Each week brings better performances by the former captain as he gets back to his dominate best, which is what he’s know for.

 

And for Essendon fans, they can finally say they have a functioning forward line. Over the years, Essendon have struggled with goal efficiency and a game winning forward line, but you can say they have finally found one. Joe Daniher continued his push for the Coleman medal adding to his tally of 34 goals with a bag of 4. Ex-lion Josh Green and ex-giant James Stewart keep adding to the fact of being good pick ups with well rounded performances and seem to slot in well with Essendon’s forward line. Essendon cult hero Anthony Mcdonald Tipungwuti was at his electrifying best with 4 goals. Bombers quicks Orazio Fantasia and Travis Colyer were very lively with ball in hand and complimented the tall forwards well. In defense, All Australian contender Michael Hurley had another well rounded performance with 25 possessions and 6 marks. Tall defender, Michael Hartley, shut down tall forward Charlie Dixion keeping him goalless and medium sized pair Martin Gleeson and Mark Baguley were strong in defense with 19 marks between them.

 

It just proved that when Essendon play great football, they are one of the most dangerous teams in the competition.

 

The Power came into the game with a clear advantage having come off some great wins and much improved performances this season. You could say it was just one of those games or that Essendon were really to good, but Saturday night would have given Power fans bad memories as their performance resembled form back in their 2011 and 2012 seasons. It’s a game that Port Adelaide have to put behind them if they want to continue playing good football this season.

 

 

Essendon  Q1: 48 Q2: 81 Q3: 97 Q4: 19.17 131

Port Adelaide Q1: 9 Q2: 29 Q3: 49 Q4: 8.13 61

Essendon by 70 points

 

Essendon’s best: Merrett, Watson, Heppell, Hurley, Mckenna, Kelly, Hooker

Port Adelaide’s best: Westhoff, Wines, R Gray, Trengrove, Ryder

 

Next Week:

Essendon: BYE

Port Adelaide: Brisbane, Adelaide Oval, 4:05 Saturday

 

Official crowd: 34,002 Etihad Stadium

 

Pictures sourced from http://www.aflphotos.com.au

By Robert Maiorana

About Rob Maiorana

I'm a proud and passionate supporter of the Essendon Fc and our game

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