Body blow for Essendon Bombers with Jordan Ridley injured in defeat to Geelong Cats – MASHAHER

Captain Patrick Dangerfield finished strongly after limited game time in the first half, while fellow veteran Mitch Duncan looked sharp with 21 disposals.

There is renewed expectation on the Bombers this season after an off-season recruiting raid that secured them McKay, Jade Gresham, Xavier Duursma and Todd Goldstein.

The hiding from the Saints last week – in an even lower-scale match simulation clash – was far from an ideal start, particularly after they tumbled out of finals contention a year ago with five defeats in the last seven rounds.

McKay’s fellow experienced newcomers were also prominent against Geelong, with Gresham setting up a series of scoring opportunities and kicking two goals, Goldstein a strong ruck performer in Sam Draper’s absence, and Duursma busy in defence.

Duursma recovered from two early defensive-50 turnovers that resulted in Cats goals to Stengle and Tom Stewart, but a stray handball later gifted Shaun Mannagh another.

Darcy Parish (34 disposals) and Zach Merrett (25) were typically prolific in the middle, while Nic Martin (28, two goals) and Andy McGrath (31) provided plenty of dash out of defence, and Kyle Langford kicked three first-half goals.

Jake Stringer had exciting bursts without maximising his opportunities in front of goal.

Fellow forward Peter Wright’s night ended at half-time for load-management reasons after a four-disposal outing where he was unable to make his mark aerially against Geelong defender Sam De Koning.

What you need to know

There has been quite a bit of doom and gloom about the Cats entering this season after their underwhelming 2023 campaign – and with another year on top of their veteran core.

A pre-season victory over Essendon, particularly after trailing for most of the game, should not dramatically alter anyone’s expectations, but their fan base should be buoyed by the youthful crop waiting in the wings.

Coach Chris Scott is unlikely to abandon his experienced stars early in the season, but it will be interesting to see if he backs in any of his emerging players, such as Dempsey or Neale, within the first month. Clark is one who probably faces a longer wait to break into the on-ball rotation.

Jack Henry managed only 11 games last season because of foot issues but his return to Geelong’s defence stiffens them up, alongside the impressive De Koning, one of the best young key defenders in the competition.

Holmes, a midfielder to this stage of his career, seems a reluctant defender based on his post-match interview with Fox Footy but looked a natural in an attacking role.

“I’m trying to get the line coaches to fight for me,” Holmes said. “But I think I’m just happy to let it unfold.”

Expert’s view

Essendon sit somewhere in the middle of the pack this year and showed enough on Friday night to suggest they could push for a finals spot if things go right.

Ridley’s potential absence in the early going compounds a brutal draw to begin the year, but the defence should be stronger with McKay’s arrival and if Reid can stay healthy, alongside Jayden Laverde.

There is also plenty of punch in attack, given Langford kicked 51 goals a year ago and was a handful against Geelong, while Stringer and Wright are other aerial options, and Gresham adds a new element, too.

Key players

Nic Martin: Martin’s shift to half-back looks an instant winner. The rising star not only launched the Bombers from defence and took kick-ins, but his hard-running ways meant he still created plenty of offence, including sneaking forward to kick two goals.

Max Holmes: Holmes played as an outside and inside midfielder last year, but he, too, finds himself down back this year. The Cats unleashed the speed demon at every opportunity, and was their leading disposal-winner, so expect to see him in his new position for a while.

Darcy Parish: New season, same old Parish. The relentless ball magnet led all-comers with 20 disposals at half-time, to go with four clearances, and was a force on the inside, where he has always done his best work. Parish and Merrett look well and truly ready for round one.

What’s next?

Neither Geelong nor Essendon will play in “round zero”, giving them an extra week for the season proper. The Bombers face traditional rivals Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday, March 16, while the Cats host St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium the same night.

GEELONG CATS
3.3 6.9 6.15 11.17 (83)
ESSENDON
4.4 7.6 9.7 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Geelong Cats: Stengle 3, Stewart, Holmes, Close, Hawkins, Miers, Neale, Dempsey, Mannagh
Essendon: Langford 3, Gresham 2, Martin 2, Stringer, Parish, Hind
BEST
Geelong Cats: Holmes, Stengle, Dempsey, Clark
Essendon: Parish, Merrett, Setterfield, McGrath