Round 16 – Essendon v Port Adelaide: Shattered and devastated!
This has to be the worst way to lose a game of football – a goal after the final siren! It was shattering and heartbreaking for supporters especially after the Bombers had fought back so valiantly and so hard in the final quarter to hit the front and looked like snatching a very unlikely win .
I’m always quietly confident when the Bombers play top sides, for some reason they have a tendency to play well and often win against the odds and thought they were in with a chance against the Power.
We were unlucky to lose to Port Adelaide earlier in the year, I believed this would be in the back of the players’ minds creating a need within themselves to redeem that winnable loss.
My only concern going into the match was the problem we have faced all year but have held well at times – our shortish backline against bigger and stronger opponents. This became very obvious early in the first quarter when the Bombers were outmarked at both ends of the ground.
The Power got off to a good start and it was only poor kicking on their behalf that let the Bombers off the hook and remain in the game and not be blown away.
Unfortunately, the Power’s early poor kicking for goal rubbed off on the Bombers who themselves also missed easy goals, too many easy goals in fact, goals that perhaps may have kept the game firmly in Essendon’s grasp.
The Power are an excellent side, very quick, very good ball handlers, and know the team plan well. Running players such as Rozee, Butters, Powell-Pepper were instrumental driving the ball forward for them. Allir Allir was brilliant all night, a Rock of Gibralter for the Power.
I thought Phillips played a very good game for Essendon. Merrett’s determination and drive in the last quarter when we were 16 points down was pivotal in getting the Bombers back into the game. The ever improving Caldwell played a cracking final quarter kicking 2 goals. Kyle Langford continues to impress and has made the step to the next level. His place definitely is on the forward line – he’s an excellent mark and kick for goal.
A matter of seconds has cost us 5th position in the 8, the loss dropping us down to 8th. With games against Adelaide, Geelong, and Western Bulldogs over the next three weeks makes it tough for the Bombers and you would expect we need to win at least two of those games to remain in the hunt.
My only worry after such a shattering loss is the Bombers may drop their bundle in the coming weeks, that certainly would have been so over the past few years, and drop away and out of finals contention. I hope not.
My 7 yo grandson Marley who was with me at the footy gave the following votes for his best Essendon players.
3: Andrew Phillips
2: Kyle Langford
1: Jye Caldwell
Col’s daughter Jemma and two of his grandsons, Ben and Marley who were at the footy with him.
ESSENDON 2.2 4.8 7.12 10.14 (74)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.7 5.8 6.9 11.12 (78)
GOALS
Essendon: Langford 3, Guelfi 2, Caldwell 2, Laverde, Martin, Stringer
Port Adelaide: Rozee 3, Dixon, Farrell, Narkle, Butters, Finlayson, Burton, Byrne-Jones, Houston
BEST
Essendon: Parish, Caldwell, Ridley, Phillips, Merrett, Heppell
Port Adelaide: Houston, Butters, Rozee, Farrell, Williams, Aliir
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Port Adelaide: Nil
LATE CHANGES
Essendon: Nil
Port Adelaide: Josh Sinn replaced in selected side by Quinton Narkle, Scott Lycett (knee) replaced in selected side by Dante Visentini
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Dylan Shiel (replaced Jye Menzie at three-quarter time)
Port Adelaide: Jase Burgoyne (replaced Dante Visentini at three-quarter time)
Crowd: 38,957 at MCG
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.

3 votes to the goal umpire!! Perfectly positioned.
Losing after the siren is tough. There is no recourse. No last fling. No chance for a ten second goal from the centre bounce. There is just defeat. It’s pistols at dawn where you both miss and the other guy comes up with a second bullet.
Nevertheless, we are better this year than last, but getting tired and injured now. Looking forward to next season already.