Round 6 – Gold Coast v Essendon: Sunburnt wings

 

 

Round 6
Gold Coast Suns v Essendon
Saturday 18 April 2026
People First Stadium Gold Coast

 

On Saturday I was in Melbourne with my son Kieran celebrating his 40th birthday with family and friends.

 

As a result I was unable to watch the whole match but did sneak off for a peak on occasions and I was pleased with what I was seeing at the time.

 

The Bombers were hard at the ball and kept a very good, possible top 4, team on their toes for most of the match which was pleasing after all the criticism the Bombers received in their earlier matches this year.

 

The Bombers have certainly turned the corner since their second half against Western Bulldogs. The blend of young players in with more experienced players is beginning to pay dividends. Kako keeps on getting better each match with a real breakout game not far away (perhaps ANZAC Day against the Pies!), and the same can be said about Archer May – slowly but surely he is finding his feet and beginning to cement his place in the team. And, Tom Edwards seems to be always by himself to kick seemingly easy goals.

 

I think the Bombers have found our ‘Dusty Martin’ in Sullivan Robey with his displays of brute strength and attack on the ball, and doesn’t he love kicking a goal! In only his second game supporters cannot be happier with his performance which will only improve with more games under his belt. He’s a beauty!

 

The only concern at the moment is Jordan Ridley who appears to have suffered another tissue injury – he just cannot beat his body in that regard!

 

From what I saw of the match I was pleased by the effort displayed by the Bombers and future is becoming more positive with each match played.

 

The Bombers have turned the corner.

 

Go Bombers!

 

 

GOLD COAST   5.3    8.10   15.11  17.17 (119)
ESSENDON      4.1    10.1   14.5    17.8 (110)

 

GOALS
Gold Coast: Petracca 3, King 3, Walter 2, Read 2, Long 2, Weller 2, Z.Uwland, Miller, Rogers
Essendon: May 2, Kako 2, Robey 2, Edwards 2, Duursma 2, Wright, Merrett, McGrath, Gresham, Caddy, El-Hawli, Caldwell

 

BEST
Gold Coast: Petracca, Rowell, Collins, Long, Humphrey, Miller
Essendon: Parish, Tsatas, Merrett, Roberts, Caldwell, Langford

 

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Essendon: Ridley (calf tightness)

 

Crowd: 19,039 at People First Stadium

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

 

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