Round 5 – Essendon v Melbourne: Lift off, a long time coming!

 

Essendon v Melbourne
Round 5, Saturday 11 April 2026
Adelaide Oval

 

Phew, that was a long time coming!

 

When we look back from Essendon’s premiership in 3 years time, the club and supporters will acknowledge this game against Melbourne as the turning point in establishing Essendon once again as a great club.

 

Except for injured players Nick Bryan, Mason Redman,  and Dylan Sharp being unavailable, I thought this week’s team was the best named for quite a long time. And they did not let us down.

 

Undoubtedly, last week’s second half effort against North Melbourne gave the team a lot of impetus and confidence going into this game, and I suppose knowing they had defeated Melbourne in the past two Gather Rounds also added to this confidence.

 

Brad Scott pulled off a masterstroke by playing Peter Wright in the ruck against an in-form Max Gawn. He certainly nullified Gawn’s influence on the game. Also, Scott had McGrath on Kysiah Pickett and playing him close to limit much of Kozzi’s influence; however you cannot hold a good player down as he displayed in few brilliant patches.

 

The back half were fantastic today, Ben McKay probably played his best game for the club, the steadying influence of Jordan Ridley shows how sorely he is missed when out injured, and, let’s hope his body holds up for the rest of the year.  Archie Roberts was probably best on ground with another impressive display of both defensive, but more importantly, his attacking skills and his ability to find a team mate with his delivery, Farrow, in his third game continues to gain in confidence and is a player of the future. Jaxon Prior is becoming more than just a valuable player as he firmly cements his position down back. Langford drifted down back at times attending an extra dimension there,  and I thought this was his best game for some time.

 

Archer May took some strong marks and kicked a couple of goals, Caddy was dangerous, and Kako keeps on getting better and better and was very influential. Gresham after a good game last week continued with that form and seemed to be without an opponent for most of the time. He is certainly playing with a lot more confidence. Players like Day-Wicks and Edwards have slotted into the side nicely playing their roles to increasing perfection. They want to stay in this side.

 

I liked Tsatas’ game. His bullocking style and his ability to get the hard ball was a bonus for the team, and he kicked a goal on his left foot!

 

Parish and Merrett were superb, easily Parish’s best game for some time  and finally regaining  more match fitness previously lost through injury.

 

Except for one of the worst turnovers seen, the Bombers  definitely improved their game in this area keeping turnovers to a minimum, their handling and delivery of the ball was much more positive and direct, a pleasing aspect of their game,

 

Well done Bombers, the more experienced players blending in with the younger players is beginning to pay dividends; it’s now a matter of continuing that form.

 

Go Bombers!!

 

 

ESSENDON            3.5    6.8    12.9    17.11 (113)
MELBOURNE        3.1    8.2    9.5     10.8 (68)
GOALS
Essendon: Caddy 2, Duursma 2, Edwards 2, Kako 2, May 2, Day-Wicks, Durham, Gresham, Merrett, Roberts, Tsatas, Wright
Melbourne: K.Pickett 2, Chandler, Fritsch, Gawn, Mihocek, L.Pickett, Sharp, Sparrow, Langford
BEST
Essendon: Roberts, Parish, Kako, Merrett, Langford, Farrow
Melbourne: K.Pickett, Steele, Gawn, Langford
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Melbourne: Salem (ankle)
Crowd: 38,006 at Adelaide Oval

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

 

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