VelvetSledge
Brownlow Medallist
- May 24, 2007
- 18,298
- 38,398
- AFL Club
- Essendon
- Other Teams
- Liverpool FC, Melbourne Storm
ESSENDON
At this point a fairly standard ANZAC Day loss, though plenty of green shoots to admire. It's weird not being overly pissed with a 41 point loss.
Another Sidebottom mauling, taking the ANZAC Medal virtually unopposed, amazing when he's 53 years old.
Jamie Elliott, as Sidebottom and former Tiger Shane Edwards seemed to, feasted on Essendon once again, booting 5 goals.
The Bombers second quarter was thrilling football, even gaining the lead momentarily before fading badly in the second half, conceding 11 of the last 15 goals.
Rainy conditions favoured the smaller Collingwood side, with Essendon's choice to go in tall in the wet proving to be a real headscratcher. Which most of us could have predicted when the side was selected.
Essendon’s key playmakers, including Zach Merrett, went quiet after a competitive first half.
Essendon’s inexperienced players showed promise despite the defeat, with some very positive signs noted.
A shining light on a dreary day is the continued improvement of Zach Reid, who is really starting to show why he was valued so highly when he was taken at Pick 8 in 2020. Injuries seem to have left the picture now (touches all the wood in the house), and continuity in his game makes him look better every single week.
Collingwood’s stronger bodies and superior skills were highlighted as key to their victory.
Collingwood’s fast, open play overwhelmed Essendon’s more congested style, especially in the second half.
They played an area game, and we played possession. You can't do that when you struggle to hit targets in the rain.
We're currently sitting at 3-3 with a game in hand, which, if you had told me that a couple of months ago, I would have absolutely taken it.
Go Planes.
Round 7 - MCG
COLLINGWOOD 16.11 107
def.
ESSENDON 10.6 66
BEST: Merrett, Setterfield, Reid, Shiel, Durham
GOALS: Wright, Durham, Caddy 2, Perkins, Langford, Kako, Hobbs
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NORTH MELBOURNE
A much improved North simply just didn't have what was needed to overcome a dour Port Adelaide side last week.
Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters won the Peter Badcoe VC Medal for best on ground, pivotal in their third straight win.
North Melbourne started strongly, leading early with more inside-50s and contested possessions, but faltered after the first quarter.
Nick Larkey, typically a sharpshooter, missed three crucial set shots, including two straightforward ones, impacting the close margin.
Jason Horne-Francis, facing his former club, was influential for Port, scoring a goal and sparking scuffles with ex-teammates. Great player, but a bit of a dickhead. I'm sure most North fans will agree.
North’s Luke Parker shone, combining toughness and skill, while Harry Sheezel was creative in the second half with limited opportunities. After being put on blast by perennial tosser Kane Cornes during the week, and with Kane subsequently being banned by North, expect a fired up Sheezel this week.
Port’s poor goal-kicking, particularly in the second half, kept North in the game despite their own errors.
A dodgy 50-meter penalty against North’s Tom McDonald for a wayward ball return proved costly in the tight finish. North have had a shocker of a week with the umpiring and MRO, to be fair.
Speaking of, Paul Curtis was a standout for North, playing with flair, but Port’s late defensive pressure sealed the win. And Curtis' tackle which knocked out Josh Sinn resulted in a 3-game suspension. Which, lets be honest, is a sick joke. It certainly helps us tonight, however, as Curtis has arguably been North's best player all season.
he loss highlighted North’s struggle to close out winnable games, leaving them at 1-5, while Port moved to 4-3.
Round 7 - Adelaide Oval
PORT ADELAIDE 14.13 97
def.
NORTH MELBOURNE 13.10 88
BEST: Xerri, Sheezel, Curtis, Davies-Uniacke, Parker, Wardlaw
GOALS: Curtis 3, Zurhaar 2, Xerri, Wardlaw, Powell, Parker, Mckercher, Larkey, Davies-Uniacke, Darling
ESSENDON OUTS: Dylan Shiel (Managed)
ESSENDON INS: Elijah Tsatas
NORF OUTS: Darcy Tucker (Omit), Paul Curtis (Suspension). George Wardlaw (Corky)
NORF INS: Bailey Scott, Will Phillips, Finnbar Maley
ROUND 10, 2024
Marvel Stadium
19/5/2024
ESSENDON 16.10 106
def.
NORF 10.6 66
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ESSENDON GOALS: Wright 4, Guelfi 3, Stringer 2, Merrett, Langford, Gresham, Jones, Perkins, Tsatas, A. Davey
NORF GOALS: Davies-Uniacke 2, Larkey, Zurhaar, Pink, Stephenson, Xerri, Taylor, Ford, Z. Duursma
ESSENDON BEST: Caldwell, Wright, Guelfi, McGrath, Heppell, Kelly
NORF BEST: Sheezel, Davies-Uniacke, Fisher, Xerri, Powell
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CHANGES SINCE LAST TIME:
ESSENDON OUTS: Guelfi, Heppell, Caldwell, Kelly, Stringer, Hind, Laverde, A. Davey, Shiel
ESSENDON INS: Ridley, Reid, Prior, Duursma, Caddy, Kako, Setterfield, Roberts, Menzie
NORF OUTS: Fisher, Wardlaw, Stephenson, Tucker, Corr, Taylor, Pink, Shiels, Bergman, Dawson, Lazzaro, Curtis, Ford,
NORF INS: Dawson, Daniel, Archer, O'Sullivan, McKercher, Stephens, Darling, Konstanty, Parker, Simpkin, Hardeman, Phillips, Maley
This is gonna be like watching two Year 7s punch on in the toilets.
Essendon by 13.
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