Essendon reaffirmed its top-four credentials and status as flag challengers after toppling Collingwood on Friday night in what has been described as a “statement performance”.
The Bombers’ rousing triumph at the MCG was their first over a top-eight opponent this season, injecting renewed belief that they can challenge for this year’s premiership as they remain entrenched in the top four.
Essendon’s start to the game hardly ideal — crumbling under severe Pies pressure — but from quarter-time onwards, they dominated possession and punished on turnover.
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“It’s a really solid victory, and, hey, they’re in this — they’re in the contest, I’m happy to say it,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon told Fox Footy post-match.
“They just prepared really well. It didn’t happen in the first quarter, they were all over the shop — we could see it, it was a mess.
“(But) they ended up taking 139 marks, so they just owned the footy — took all the momentum and run (out of the game).”
Despite stumbling in the early stages, Essendon leant on one of its biggest strengths — overwhelming Collingwood 279-218 in uncontested possessions, and 129-85 in uncontested marks.
In the five weeks of football leading into Friday night, Essendon’s average uncontested possession differential of +37.2 was first in the competition.
Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley labelled it a “statement performance”, highlighting the Dons’ superior physical condition.
“It felt like more than a 12-point win,” he told Fox Footy’s post-game coverage. “It was consolidated after quarter-time. That was the statement performance that we were looking for.
“We’ve spoken a lot throughout the year about the off-season (overseas) that the Essendon players had. Well, they looked the harder, fitter side tonight.
“It’s a long season. We’ve still got seven or eight games to go, so that’s the challenge that every team has, but this Essendon side looks as hard and fit as they did in Round 1 — and they’re getting stronger.”
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Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown placed an emphasis on Essendon’s ability to absorb its opponent’s pressure and respond — unlike in last Saturday’s defeat to Geelong.
“To fight back and turn the tables — which they couldn’t do last week against Geelong — showed the maturity of the group,” he said.
“I think they’ve learned a lot under Brad Scott.”
In his post-match press conference, Scott was asked if Friday night’s victory was his most cherished as Essendon’s senior coach.
“There’s been a few,” he responded. “I mean, it’s probably later in the season when the wins seem more important, but I thought it was more just the step forward again.
“(Against) really good opposition, circumstances throughout the game where Collingwood got off to a good start (but) we were able to regain our composure.”
Scott, as Brown also alluded to, referenced learnings from his side’s Round 16 loss to the Cats, and kept a lid on things despite his club’s positive outlook.
“We talked about that last week — not being able to regain control again when we felt we had control at different stages last week,” he continued.
“So, that part was really pleasing. I just see the pretty obvious growth … But have we proven anything? I wouldn’t think so. We’ve just taken another step forward towards (our ultimate goal).
“I wish this win tonight just meant that we were away and flying, but the challenges just keep coming the next week, so there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s a step forward for us, but, unfortunately, doesn’t guarantee anything next week or the week after.”
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Captain Zach Merrett was integral to Essendon’s cause, finishing the evening with an equal-team-high 30 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency, a staggering 15 score involvements, 10 contested possessions, five clearances and a goal — but it is his defensive profile that impressed Scott the most.
“He’s obviously a very, very good player — great player, in my opinion — but his work defensively as a midfielder is up there with the best I’ve seen,” he said of his skipper.
“It’s the defensive stuff that I’m most impressed with. A couple of passages of play there in the last quarter where he just goes and goes and goes. So we couldn’t ask (for more).”
Lyon also commended Merrett’s stellar effort during the Fox Footy broadcast.
“He’s been absolutely outstanding,” he said. “He’s been lethal by foot, his work-rate defensively has been at the pointy end, and I thought it was as good a (first) half of footy that I’ve seen in a long time.”
The Bombers will deservedly revel in Friday night’s memorable performance, but the quality of opposition doesn’t get any easier for Scott’s men in their run home.
Despite the fact that six of their final seven fixtures are at either the MCG or Marvel Stadium, the Bombers’ opponents are formidable — especially in the final month of their season.
From Rounds 21-24, they come up against Fremantle, Gold Coast, Sydney and Brisbane to close their home-and-away account. Next up are the Demons in Round 18.
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