DON’T STOP NOW
ANZAC Day was a draw.
It was a fair result.
It was a strong effort.
The Bombers could have won.
The Bombers could have lost.
Thursday’s result will certainly have many of the faithful frustrated, especially when you consider the chaotic nature of those final few minutes. But for me, it’s got to be one of the most positive draws in club history.
The Magpies threw everything at the boys – and they didn’t blink.
After a commanding opening term, Collingwood inevitably returned fire. You don’t win premierships by rolling over at the first sign of trouble, and the Pies quickly got the game back on level terms. It was sadly … unsurprising. However, what was surprising to my deeply cynical Essendon eyes was the club’s response – the Bombers held fast! They weathered every storm Collingwood sent their way and held their own. The faithful have seen enough games in recent times, where the players have turned up their toes when challenged by significantly less pressure.
So, for the Dons to not only thwart the Pies momentum at times, but push through it and create their own was refreshing to say the least.
It was a resilient performance. A mature performance.
Dyson Heppell has impressed this season with his consistency across the backline.
Andy McGrath put together one of his most impressive performances across half-back, racking up 31 disposals at 81% efficiency, along with 10 intercept possessions and three tackles. But what stood out, aside from the numbers, was McGrath’s composure. He simply was reading every ball coming his way with a mixture of maturity and intelligence. Rarely has his disposal been so clinical. Risky kicks executed cleanly. Sharp handballs sent at speed. It was a commanding performance from the vice-captain in a contract year, where a pricy long-term deal awaits, if Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo’s comments on SEN are anything to go by.
Kyle Langford was a champion once again. With 4.2 goals, he led the club’s forward line commandingly. He was a permanent target and effective user of the ball. He now sits with 17 goals from his first seven outings of 2024. Last year he was amazing – this year he seems even better!
Nic Martin impressed again with 30 disposals, but more importantly, an electric final quarter spend more around the forward 50 arc than the opposite, where he’s worked the bulk of his season so far. Of his 30 touches, 10 came in the final quarter at 90% efficiency, as well as a stellar goal that damn near broke every Bombers fan’s voice box cheering!
Martin has been nothing short of quality along the half-back line in 2024, but damn he’s exciting when he gets near the goals.
Sam Durham is becoming one of the team’s most consistent performers in the middle. He’s selfless, hard-edged and hungry. Paired up with Jye Caldwell, the midfield appears to have finally shaken its one pace/one way label. This midfield is looking dynamic and has the clearances to prove it.
On ANZAC Day, the Dons won clearances 40-23, including an impressive 19-8 at the centre bounce. And at the core of many of these clearances was … well … who else …
Captain Zach Merrett has gone to another level in 2024, collecting the ANZAC Day Medal on Thursday.
Zach Merrett is unreal.
Just when you think you’ve seen him reach his ceiling, the Bombers’ captain breaks the bloody thing in two and keeps moving up. His numbers from Thursday are impressive to say the least. 31 disposals, 10 score involvements, six clearances and nine tackles. In the post-match press conference Brad Scott made mention that, “Zach wants to be a better player, doesn’t want to be the leader that sort of … policing all of his teammates, he wants to get better himself.”
This sort of statement is potently visible in how Merrett goes about his footy. And though it’s still only seven rounds into the season, that mentality seems to be rubbing off on the other players. Now, it’s a long season – and it gets harder every year. And it could just be me, but the Bombers brigade seem hungrier this year. Tougher. Maybe even a little meaner. And I can’t help but think that a lot of that is thanks to the captain and the standards he’s driven into this group.
Now ANZAC Day wasn’t without its flaws.
Fumbles and poor decision-making marred Essendon’s efforts in crucial moments, but the draw showed far more reasons to be excited than to despair. The Dons took it to the premiers not for one quarter, or two, or three but four quarters! On one of the biggest days on the footy calendar, this Essendon side stood up and left nothing out there … well, maybe a goal or two.
However, we won’t dwell in those thoughts. And as pessimistic as I find myself about our beloved football club from time to time, I’m determined to keep these positive feelings going. But you know, there is one thing that could easily reverse all those good vibes currently emanating out of Tullamarine … losing to the West Coast Eagles.
Because let’s be honest, there’s nothing more feared by the Bombers’ faithful than the dreaded ‘winnable game’. Now granted, the Eagles have finally strung together a bit of form – thanks mostly to their teenage phenomenon, Harley Reid. But if the Dons are serious Reid shouldn’t be a factor.
If Essendon are serious, and this playing group is serious, then nothing short of a strong win against West Coast will suffice. The Bombers have made a tradition out of following up surprise victories and honourable losses against contenders, with mediocre outings and miserable losses against lowly opponents. That is not the sign of a club moving forward. If Brad Scott’s boys are done being the joke of the AFL, then they’ll show it in Perth.
And not even the second coming himself, Harley Reid, should stand in their way.
If the Essendon Football Club wanted to show on ANZAC Day that they’re no pushover anymore, then they succeeded. However, if they want to prove that they’re truly a team to be reckoned with, they can’t stop now. A powerful victory over the lowly Eagles is a must.
Because if they don’t, it’ll just be the same old Dons.
Going forwards?
Going backwards?
Maybe only Saturday night in Perth will tell.
Go Planes.