Round 1 – Hawthorn v Essendon: Hawks swoop as Bombers misfire!

 

Although the Bombers were defeated by a pretty slick Hawthorn side on Friday night I was not overly disappointed.

 

Hawthorn are touted as big improvers this year and expected to play finals and the match was expected to be a tough one for Essendon, which it was.

 

Letting the Hawks jump us in the first quarter was probably the difference between winning and losing, as we outscored the Hawks after that quarter. A strong third quarter put us back in the game but our kicking for goal let us down badly, perhaps due to the pressure from Hawks back half. We simply did not take advantage of the opportunities we had.

 

Hawthorn were able to post their goals quickly and with seeming less effort often far too easily at times. They converted most of their set shots compared to the few we had.

 

Losing Ridley with concussion and Langford doing his hamstring at crucial moments did not help the team. Langford will be a big loss for the next 4 – 6 weeks but opens up the stage for Tom Edwards to make his debut.

 

Jye Caldwell played a cracking game and has come on in leaps and bounds over the past season or so setting a fine example for his team mates with his courage and endeavour.

 

Draper and Bryan both played encouraging games with the Bombers doing well at the centre bounces and clearances. Bryan certainly is gaining in confidence and will prove to be a huge asset as the season progresses.

 

Caddy showed glimpses and is not far away from playing that breakout game we are expecting from him. Gresham was lively when he came on in the third quarter.

 

Kako set the Bombers’ faithful on fire with his first goal in AFL footy (first kick as well?) and with a few games under his belt can be anything.

 

I thought both Duursma and Harry Jones had good games on their wings. Both kicked goals and Jones took many strong marks. If Essendon decide not to play Edwards next week Jones may have to spend more time forward.

 

A daytime match next Saturday afternoon will be a tough game for the Bombers against Adelaide after their convincing win against the Saints. Essendon will be encouraged by their efforts against the Hawks and with some team ‘tweeking’ will approach the game with increased confidence.

 

Go Bombers!

 

HAWTHORN      6.1     10.4    13.7     17.9 (111)
ESSENDON        1.4     4.5      7.11     12.13 (85)

 

GOALS
Hawthorn: Moore 3, Watson 3, Chol 2, Ginnivan 2, Hardwick 2, D’Ambrosio, Day, Macdonald, Maginness, Weddle
Essendon: Duursma 2, Langford 2, Merrett 2, Caldwell, Draper, Gresham, Jones, Kako, Perkins

 

BEST
Hawthorn: Moore, Amon, Newcombe, Sicily, Nash, Macdonald
Essendon: Caldwell, Merrett, Durham, Duursma, Martin

 

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Scrimshaw (concussion)
Essendon: Langford (hamstring), Ridley (concussion)

 

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Sam Frost (replaced Jack Scrimshaw in the second quarter)
Essendon: Jade Gresham (replaced Jordan Ridley in the third quarter)

 

Crowd: 80,735 at the MCG

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

 

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