Round 18 – Brisbane v Essendon: Dismal Dons destroyed
Round 18
Brisbane v Essendon
Sunday 12 July 2026
Gabba, QLD
What can one say after such a pitiful and dismal performance by the Bombers against Brisbane?
That performance must go down as one of the worst ever by an Essendon side, and unfortunately too many have occurred in recent years but this one probably takes the cake.
If they hadn’t already given up the fight before the match, they certainly raised the white flag and succumbed to the Lions very early in the game – there was no fight, no spirit, no pride, just a rabble!
Unfortunately, you wonder what it must be doing to the mindset of the players especially the younger and inexperienced players. For many of them, all they know is losing, and that will remain the way with them for the foreseeable future, and will take time to remedy.
I did not watch or listen to the match so I cannot really comment on the game itself except to express my feelings, and even that was difficult to do. Checking the scores on the AFL app early on I knew the signs were ominous for the remainder of the match.
It is terribly sad to see this great club in the position it is in at the moment.
BRISBANE 5.6 9.10 16.14 22.17 (149)
ESSENDON 0.3 1.6 1.9 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Brisbane: Lohmann 3, W.Ashcroft 3, Morris 2, L.Ashcroft 2, Hipwood 2, Cameron 2, Bailey 2, McKenna 2, Draper 2, McCluggage, Dunkley
Essendon: Wright 3, Caddy 2, Kako, McGrath, Durham
BEST
Brisbane: Neale, W.Ashcroft, Rayner, Draper, Gallop, L.Ashcroft, Zorko
Essendon: Wright, Robey, Jones, Durham
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Crowd: 30,505
More Round 18 match reports HERE
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
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Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
You’re dead right Col. Sitting in the stands there was little of the thrill of belting a worthy adversary. More like whipping a dog that is cowering at your feet. I’ll take the winning margin to keep ahead of the Crows on the ladder, just, but not an exhilarating evening.
Essendon and Gold Coast vying for spineless performance of the round!
As Shane Reid suggests, there is hope for the Bombers Col.