Round 3 – Melbourne v Essendon: Promising signs for the Dons
Zip three for the Bombers after three rounds — not quite the start many Bomber fans were expecting, and our worst start since 1967. And, if I remember rightly, that season did not end all that well.
I’m a believer in the law of averages, and they suggested the Demons with an excellent winning run were due for a loss, however, as we now know this was not to be and in the end the Dees recorded a comfortable win against the Dons.
Albeit a loss, I thought the Bombers showed a lot more fight and tenacity than in their previous outings, and to head the Demons twice late in the game was a promising sign from the team. Not too often have the Dees been headed in recent matches and it was only by the rise in their intensity rate together with the cream rising to the surface proved what a good team and worthy premiership holders they are. Cameron Oliver certainly was an example of that.
With key players missing — Merrett, Hurley, Cox, Langford, McDonald-Tipungwuti, has left a huge hole in the side but pleasing for the fans is their replacements are showing enough to suggest they will be regular and long term fixtures in the side.
Martin and Wanganeen are part of the new breed at Essendon, and it was because of injuries to the key players they received their chances for selection earlier than expected but both have grabbed their chances and it will be difficult to dislodge them from the team. Both Caldwell and Perkins display improvement in their games and it will not be long before they take a game by the scruff of the neck and be real match winners.
The inclusion of Andrew Phillips into the game was justified and he did not let the selectors down. I thought he was more suited to matching it with Gawn, as well as being a good marking player around the ground. His inclusion also took some pressure off Draper. It also allowed Peter Wright to spend most of his time forward. As the past two weeks have shown he is a more than a capable marking, straight kicking forward, he is a potential matchwinner for the Bombers. It’s just a matter of delivering the ball to him.
Our backline held up well with Stewart playing his best game for a long while.
The pressure is really on the Bombers for next week, it is a must win game against the the Crows or else it will be a long season for supporters.
MELBOURNE 3.5 4.8 10.12 14.15 (99)
ESSENDON 0.4 3.5 9.5 10.10 (70)
GOALS
Melbourne: Weideman 4, Harmes 2, Fritsch 2, Langdon, McDonald, Petracca, Spargo, Sparrow, Viney
Essendon: Wright 4, Stringer 2, Cutler, McGrath, Perkins, Wanganeen
BEST
Melbourne: Oliver, Brayshaw, Weideman, Langdon, Harmes, May
Essendon: Shiel, Parish, Wright, Ridley, Heppell
INJURIES
Melbourne: None
Essendon: None
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Toby Bedford (unused)
Essendon: Devon Smith (unused)
Crowd: 44,503
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Not unhappy with our blokes. Poor against Geelong but better in the last two. Merrett, Tippa, Jones, Cox, Langford and Snelling are clearly in our best 22, I could make a case for Francis and Hobbs and Reid will be. We’ve got a run of more winnable games coming up. Go Dons.
Jones and Snelling, how did I miss them! Hopefully we see something of Reid this year, and though often maligned I do like Francis. Competition will hot up for places once all are available, then hopefully we’ll see what we are expecting performance wise. Thanks Trevor. Go Bombers!
Col,
I don’t usually think it my responsibility to offer comfort to Dons’ supporters, but I’m pretty sure that you’re the only team to have played three of last season’s top four (at the end of the H & A season). Of those you play Brisbane again (and at the Gabba), but you’re finished with Geelong and Melbourne. While the performance against Geelong was way below par, against Brisbane and Melbourne the Bombers weren’t far away. Your season is far from done in my view.