AFL Essendon v GWS: All the news and action from the Bombers’ Round 8 clash with the Giants

Essendon lost its third game by three points or less against GWS Giants after a controversial finish in which it was denied claims for a crucial free-kick.

A controversial denial of a free-kick to Essendon forward Cale Hooker in the dying stages has helped GWS to their fourth win in five weeks as they held on for a thrilling two-point triumph over the Bombers at Giants Stadium.

With the margin a mere two points in favour of GWS late in the final quarter, Giants defender Lachie Keefe looked to have collected Hooker in the head while attempting to spoil deep in defence.

“Do you reckon Cale Hooker got enough on that? I’ve seen less purchase on the ball rewarded,” Hawks legend Dermott Brereton said on commentary.

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Cale Hooker stitched up. #howlongpic.twitter.com/9RbJoqmSt4

— John Johnson (@tr929292) May 8, 2021

With no whistle from the umpire however, it set the scene for Jacob Hopper to play the role of Giants hero as he snapped home what would prove to be the sealer.

“That happens, the game’s a hard one to umpire. The state of the game, you look at it but there were passages in that first quarter that cost us goals too,” Essendon coach Ben Rutten said.

Giants coach Leon Cameron could not have been prouder to how his side responded to Essendon’s challenge.

“It’s great to win another close one,” Cameron said.

“We’ve got a record of fifteen and one under four points which is a phenomenal record for such a young team. To hold on in an interesting set of circumstances was really pleasing,” he continued.

Essendon’s Nick Hind evades GWS Giant Bobby Hill.

In an absorbing, seesawing contest the Bombers, who lost a star in Jake Stringer to hamstring injury in the third quarter, yet again proved their fight this season as they reeled in several Giants leads to set-up a nailbiting finish.

The only downside for the Giants, however, was a first-quarter incident that saw Jeremy Finlayson reported for striking for a late hit on Zach Merrett that is likely to cost him some weeks on the sidelines.

It’s a blow for the rangy left footer, who was crucial in the Giants victory with three goals, including two in a third quarter where GWS would pile on seven majors.

Josh Kelly was another standout, notching up 30 possessions and kicking two majors, as the classy left footer proved instrumental for the second time this season in a tight Giant win, while Tim Taranto had it 28 times as did youngster Tom Green who continues to blossom in the GWS engine room.

Josh Kelly was dominant for the Giants.

Jordan Ridley charges out of defence.

After trailing by 24 points at the first break the Bombers initial resurgence was inspired by star on-ballers Merrett and Darcy Parish who would finish with 37 and 35 possessions respectively.

Kyle Langford, who struggled with his disposal early, kicked three goals for the afternoon to help get the Bombers back into the contest.

Toby Greene yet again starred for the Giants in his role of acting captain with several crucial contributions forward of centre while young defender Sam Taylor was outstanding deep in defence.

MATT THE MIGHTY MEDICAL SUB

When Jake Stringer went off with a hamstring injury the hopes of a resurgence from Bombers fans will have faded but the impact of Matt Guelfi, who replaced him as the sub was immense. He had eight touches, laid six tackles and kicked a goal in under a half of game time.

Cale Hooker is consoled by young forward Harrison Jones post-match.

ARCHIE DOES IT INTERSTATE

One of the stories of draft week was the outspoken Archie Perkins who said he didn’t want to play for an interstate team and told recruiters to act as such. The Bombers would snare him with pick nine in the draft and after playing all but one game this season, he would ironically kick his first AFL goal outside of Victoria with a lovely strike from 40 metres out on a tight angle in the third term.

SPRIGHTLY SPROULE

The story of Zach Sproule is an interesting one for the Giants, after debuting in 2019 the 22 year old has clearly done it the hard way, playing in just his third career game in this contest but was extremely lively in the first half kicking two goals to help give the Giants the early buffer.

SCOREBOARD

GWS: 6.2 – 7.4 – 14.8 – 16.11 (107)

Essendon 2.2 – 5.7 – 10.7 – 16.9 (105)

VOTES:

3 – Josh Kelly (GWS)

2 – Sam Taylor (GWS)

1 – Zach Merrett (ESS)

RUTTEN PRAISES MERRETT AFTER HUGE MILESTONE GAME

In a week where he admitted he wants to see some stability from his club before committing to a new long-term deal, Zach Merrett has been hailed for his leadership and resilience by Essendon coach Ben Rutten in their heartbreaking loss to the Giants.

In what was a milestone game 150 for the superstar Bombers on-baller, Merrett notched up 37 possessions in yet another magnificent performance for the season, despite coming in for some rough treatment from a Giants outfit intent on knocking him off his game.

“He’s a warrior for us and such a strong competitor,” Rutten said.

“I understand why teams may target him at times, but I thought the way he persisted and persevered in his 150th game, he’s been a fantastic leader for us in every game this season and tonight was no exception,” Rutten said.

“Towards the end of the first quarter when we were up against it a couple of tackles and efforts from Zach helped shift the momentum.”

The targeting of Merrett, who is out of contract at the end of the season, came to the boil when he was struck in the head during the first quarter by Jeremy Finlayson in an incident that put the Giants forward on report and could well see him miss a number of weeks.

“I didn’t have a close look at it. Zac’s a ballplayer so as long as he goes hard at the ball, I hope he gets protected within the rules of the game,” Rutten said.

Zach Merrrett, pictured tackling Josh Kelly, was huge in his 150th game.

A major concern for the Bombers however, ahead of next week’s clash at home to Fremantle, is a hamstring injury to dynamic forward Jake Stringer.

He was subbed out of the game in the third quarter and replaced by Matt Guelfi, who was hugely impactful as the medical sub with eight possessions, six tackles and a goal.

“We’re not quite sure, he was kind of good enough to carry on but not,” Rutten said.

“So, we tried to persist with him a bit but in the end, we had to make the sub.”

“It looks like a hamstring but he was still functioning okay so we’re not sure of the full extent of it.”

GWS FORWARD IN HOT WATER FOR LATE HIT

Jordan Pinto

GWS forward Jeremy Finlayson is likely to come under scrutiny from the MRO after his late hit on Zach Merrett on Saturday.

The Giants had just kicked five consecutive goals, following Peter Wright’s first in the opening minutes, when Finlayson charged at Merrett, raising his elbow as the Bombers star kicked.

Jeremy Finlayson's late hit on Bomber Zach Merrett. Picture: Fox Footy

‘THIS IS F---ED’: DONS STAR OPENS UP ON LEADERSHIP GROUP AXING

WATCH THE HIT ON THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

The midfielder hit the deck and stayed there for several seconds, before ruckman Andrew Phillips came in to remonstrate with Finlayson.

Merrett was back in his feet quickly, however, and tallied 20 disposals in an impressive first half.

But given the intent and high impact of the hit, the incident is sure to be looked at closely.

“One week for dumbness, at least” Gerard Healy suggested on Fox Footy.

Originally published as AFL Essendon v GWS: All the news and action from the Bombers’ Round 8 clash with the Giants