Essendon has survived a scare from lowly West Coast to jump into third on the AFL ladder with Sunday’s 30-point win.
Heading into the Marvel Stadium clash off the back of two straight losses, the Bombers were able to shrug off their form woes and claim a 19.8 (122) to 13.14 (92) win.
Jake Stringer proved the star of the show as he wound back the clock to kick five goals – just one shy of his career-best reached back in 2016.
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But the win was soured by the loss of Nik Cox in the final term to injury.
For the Eagles, a wasteful third term came back to haunt them as they managed only 5.6 in a quarter they dominated.
And their inaccuracy ensured their record of nine straight losses when trailing at the final change rolled on.
THE 3-2-1…
3 – BOMBERS EVENTUALLY PREVAIL OVER TESTING EAGLES
It wasn’t as convincing as Essendon fans may have hoped, but the red and black have pocketed another crucial four points to help them chase a finals berth.
Their five-goal victory now pushes them back up into third place on the ladder, sandwiched between two other powerhouses in Carlton and Collingwood.
While the scorecard may read as an easy victory for the Bombers, the Eagles were within four points on the verge of three-quarter time and looked the better of the two sides.
And up until deep into the final quarter, it was arguably inaccuracy that cost West Coast from winning in the end, missing some gettable chances throughout the match that could have led to another upset on their behalf.
Jake Stringer was the star of the show for Essendon, kicking a bag of five of more goals for the 10th time in his career.
His three goals in the second quarter gave the Bombers a significant level of momentum heading into the main break.
“All in all, the boys fought it out really well,” Stringer said to Fox Footy post-game.
Around the ball, Jye Caldwell was exceptional all day – accumulating 26 disposals, 11 tackles and a goal during his run-with role alongside Eagle Elliot Yeo on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking at half time on Fox Footy’s coverage of the match, four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis noted Caldwell’s influence on the game.
“They’re playing some really good football, and it’s on the back of a couple of jobs happening – Jye Caldwell is right at the forefront, he’s doing the job on Elliot Yeo,” Lewis said.
“He’s kept Yeo to 10 disposals (at half time), but then also getting on the offensive side of his game … yes, it is a lockdown role, but I’ve loved the balance between locking down and then. Being involved on the offensive threat as well.”
Beyond Caldwell, Bombers skipper Zach Merrett managed to still influence the game strongly, despite being watched closely by West Coast’s Reuben Ginbey.
The Essendon superstar finished with 29 disposals, 13 score involvements and a goal, and impressed Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson in commentary.
“Merrett has been awesome in changing his run, changing his angles with the ball … he’s opening up the ground for the Bombers to go forward with affect,” Johnson said.
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2 – DONS FORWARD LINE GELS SURPRISINGLY WELL
Fielding an ultra-tall attacking half with the late inclusion of second-gamer Nate Caddy, the Bombers still managed to find a strong level of continuity.
With all of Caddy, Stringer, Peter Wright, Harrison Jones and Kyle Langford playing inside the forward 50, one would be rational in assuming that the lack of height disparity could cause structural issues for the Bombers.
That wasn’t the case however, as Stringer (five goals), Wright, Langford and Caddy (two each) kicking 11 of their 19 majors.
And while he didn’t hit the scoreboard like his teammates, Jones played further up the ground with great effectiveness – finishing the match with 14 touches at 92.9 per cent disposal efficiency.
With the presumed inclusion of late out Todd Goldstein next week, how the Bombers line up in attack will be fascinating; especially given how his replacement Caddy played for his 11 disposals.
Caddy would likely be the first man out, but it could be food for thought heading into the end of the home-and-away season should Brad Scott need to shake up his forward line during a potential lapse in form.
Their stability up forward will only become more important in the coming weeks, with crucial matches against Geelong, Collingwood and Melbourne that could potentially decide their finals fate.
And with no shortage of star key defenders within those next three opponents, their tall brigade will want to click even further, as soon as possible.
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1 – EAGLES FIND POSITIVES IN OLD AND NEW
Despite the 30-point loss, Adam Simpson has found some versatility within his side not seen before in 2024
Speaking to Fox Footy pre-game, Simpson flagged the new roles that both Ryan Maric and Liam Ryan would play on Sunday afternoon to give their side some extra spark.
The return of Oscar Allen into attack allowed young tall Maric to move up the ground, with the 2018 premiership coach moving him onto a wing for three-and-a-quarters before he was eventually subbed out.
Maric finished the match with 13 disposals, 402 metres gained and five inside 50’s, and provided the Eagles with an unusual amount of height on the wing.
As for Ryan, the 27-year-old again played in the midfield – following up from his 35 per cent centre bounce attendances against North Melbourne in Round 13.
Ryan’s stat line read with 18 disposals and six inside 50’s, and much like Ryan – provided plenty of deliveries for an evolving forward line.
And as much as their structure changed in certain areas of the ground, it was also their bread and butter in defence that stood tall amid a plethora of entries inside Essendon’s forward 50.
Usual suspects Tom Barrass (12 intercept possessions) and Jeremy McGovern (seven) outdid themselves given the tall nature of the Bombers’ attack.
Barrass’ four intercept marks in the first term alone set the tone in the Eagles’ defence, reminding All-Australian selectors of how capable an intercept defender he can be.
ESSENDON v WEST COAST – AS IT HAPPENED
The Bombers swung one late change on Sunday afternoon, with Nate Caddy coming in for Todd Goldstein – who has been managed.
The subs are Jye Menzie (Bombers) and mid-season draftee Jack Hutchinson (Eagles).
Oscar Allen is back for his first game since Round 1 earlier this season, in a huge boost for the Eagles’ attacking half.
His return should help shoulder the load of teammate Jake Waterman, who has had an incredible start to 2024 with 33 goals heading into Round 15.
Kyle Langford opened the scoring for the match with his first goal since Round 12, converting his set shot from just inside the 50 metre arc on a slight angle.
Tall teammate Peter Wright was able to clunk a diving mark in the left forward pocket a couple of minutes later, before snapping truly from 25 metres out to give Essendon the early lead.
However, the Eagles responded straight away – with Waterman getting crafty deep inside 50 to confuse Essendon’s defence for his first of the afternoon.
Momentum swayed rapidly early in the first term, with Peter Wright nailing a drop punt from an almost identical position as his first goal, for his second!
All three of Essendon’s goals in the first five and a half minutes had come from transition in the back half.
And almost as if only the key forwards from each team could score, Waterman split the middle with a set shot 90 seconds later to bring the margin back to one goal – with both sides kicking with 100 per cent accuracy early doors.
Jamie Cripps snapped through traffic 20 metres out from his Eagles’ goal to make it three goals apiece, keeping the Bombers honest after a fast start.
Jake Stringer bagged goal 350 of his career from a set shot just inside 50, as the key players continued to start strongly for either side.
Cripps snagged his second from a set shot in response, with the clash very quickly becoming a see-sawing contest.
Waterman hit the post after the siren in search of his third of the first quarter, but nonetheless gave the Eagles a one-point lead at the first break.
The scoreboard read: Essendon 4.2 (26) trailing West Coast 4.3 (27).
Cripps was best on ground in the opening quarter, notching up 2.1 from his eight disposals, three inside 50’s and three marks.
After a slow start to the second term, Zach Merrett broke the deadlock with a set shot in the right forward pocket, before Nick Hind essentially doubled their lead with a snap from close range.
Campbell Chesser kicked his first of the day with his fourth disposal, having swung between defence and attack throughout the match.
Stringer kicked his second for the match with a snap from the left forward pocket, pushing the margin back to 13 points in favour of Essendon.
“The Bombers are bringing the heat when the pressure’s on,” former Hawthorn player Ben Dixon said on Fox Footy’s live coverage of the match.
Jack Darling stemmed the blow briefly for the Eagles, before Stringer laced his third – again from just inside the 50 metre arc to give the Dons a two-goal buffer.
Second-gamer Nate Caddy kicked his first AFL goal from the right forward pocket to further boost the Bombers, with teammates running from everywhere to congratulate the 18-year-old.
Stringer finished the half with his third goal of the quarter, and laying the foundation for the 30-year-old to beat his career-best haul of six goals set all the way back in 2015.
At the main break, the scoreboard read: Essendon 10.4 (64) to West Coast’s 6.5 (41).
Beyond Stringer, Jye Caldwell was outstanding in the first half with 18 disposals and three clearances.
Skipper Merrett looked to be shaking Reuben Ginbey’s tag pretty well, racking up 16 disposals and a goal himself – as well as a whopping eight score involvements for the half.
Darling opened proceedings in the second half, kicking his second goal for the match and trimming the margin back down to 17 points.
After a near-goal just minutes earlier, Allen kicked his first goal of 2024 from set shot to make it just a 10-point game at Marvel Stadium.
Matt Guelfi crumbed well for the Bombers not long after however, quickly curling a snap through the big sticks from just outside his side’s goal square.
Waterman continues to thrive with the extra presence of Allen up forward, converting his third goal and affirming belief in Eagles fans that mission improbable was more than possible.
“They are causing Essendon to make mistake after mistake,” Dixon said.
But just as West Coast closed to within four points, a “lightning quick” Xavier Duursma nailed his snap – and brought out his trademark bow and arrow celebration to boot.
When Jake Stringer added his fifth goal – just one shy of his career best from back in 2016 – late in the third, the Bombers had some breathing room with a 15-point buffer.
At the final change, it was Essendon leading 89-76.
It took almost 10 minutes for either side to break the deadlock in the final term, before Guelfi added his second.
Essendon were able to pick their way out of trouble with precision passes to stifle any West Coast charge.
Dyson Heppell put his body on the line going back to stand in front of a charging Bailey Williams with less than 10 minutes to play.
When Jack Petruccelle looked to give West Coast a chance, Jye Caldwell had the immediate reply – albeit off the back of a suspect looking handball.
“Handpass or not?” Dwayne Russell asked.
“100 per cent not. A clear throw,” Brad Johnson replied.
“State of Origin is on Wednesday night,” Ben Dixon added on a laugh.
Kyle Langford then added the knock out blow, before Essendon kicked on in red time to record their eighth win of the year.
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