Round 8 – Essendon v North Melbourne: Bombers hold on!

That was a real grind but four points is four points!

 

We presently sit outside the eight on percentage with four wins and a game in hand – possibly a much better position than many pundits expected us to be at this time of the season but the Bombers continue to hang in there.

 

I must admit those last few seconds brought about a sense of déjà vu of once again being pipped at the post– a far too common occurrence over the past few seasons. Nail-biting stuff, not good for the nerves!

 

Undoubtably the win came down to one player – Zach Merrett. In particular his last quarter was sensational mainly spent in the back half directing traffic and keeping the game under Essendon’s control. If we only two or three more Zach Merrett’s we’d be a force to be reckoned with!

 

Peter Wright was also an integral player in the last quarter taking many telling marks by being in the right position at the right time. He certainly is making his presence felt now he is fit and back in the team.

 

Again, we suffered another possible season ending injury with Harrison Jones going down with a serious ankle injury. His pain at the time was palpable. Three players in four weeks receiving major injuries places immense pressure on the team. Essendon’s depth will be tested. With Jordan Ridley sidelined once again with a leg injury, Gresham and Hobbs also possible outs for next week opens up opportunities for the younger players to get a crack at the big time.

 

For the first time in some while we had an excellent start to the game kicking six goals to two. Archie Perkins kicked three goals and looked as if he may have a day out. The Bombers were very direct, fast, and dominating in that quarter – and we were kicking straight! Everything was clicking and coming together.

 

However, that did not last for long. After quarter-time we kicked three goals ten for the remainder of the match with players such as Peter Wright missing shots on goal they would normally swallow. We probably had a chance to bury North in that second quarter but those easy misses kept them in the game.

 

North certainly applied more pressure in the remaining three quarters by beginning to outrun the Bombers as they gained momentum.

 

Essendon seem to struggle against the so-called lowly teams, I’m more confident against the top teams. The Bombers just don’t switch on fully when they should against such teams.

 

Next Saturday against Sydney will be a real test of character for the Bombers with so many injuries, particularly to key players. Dire circumstances often call for drastic responses and provide an opportunity to blood new players.

 

Go Bombers!

 

ESSENDON                    6.1    7.5    8.7    9.11 (65)
NORTH MELBOURNE     2.3    3.4    8.6    9.8 (62)

 

GOALS
Essendon: Perkins 3, Caddy 2, Langford, Martin, Hobbs, Kako
North Melbourne: Larkey 2, Simpkin 2, Zurhaar 2, Maley, McKercher, Duursma

 

BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Caddy, Perkins, Durham, Redman
North Melbourne: Xerri, Powell, Zurhaar, Simpkin, Sheezel

 

INJURIES
Essendon: Ridley (hamstring), Jones (ankle), Gresham (groin)
North Melbourne: Archer (hamstring)

 

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Jye Menzie (replaced Jordan Ridley in the second quarter)
North Melbourne: Bailey Scott (replaced Jackson Archer in the second quarter)

 

Crowd: 35,439 at Marvel Stadium

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

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