AFL round 24: Collingwood demolishes disappointing Essendon, Jack Ginnivan stars

None of it was pretty, but a few minutes of play - that should have been accompanied by Benny Hill music it was so farcical - summed up the Bombers season

Jack Ginnivan goals. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Essendon emailed its members pre-game informing them the seat belt jumpers worn arch-rival against Collingwood would be auctioned off.

Their values depreciated like Crypto as Collingwood kicked the first 11 goals.

Unfortunately for the TAC, they sponsored the football equivalent of a car crash.

What a shameful eight quarters to end the Bombers’ season.

Only 75 days earlier they had pummelled Carlton – which has roared into the premiership race – and after round 17 they sat fifth on the ladder.

But consecutive defeats totalling 196 points have reframed what was appearing a positive season.

Will supporters of this once-proud club ever enter an off-season energised by optimism?

In 2019 the Bombers were belted by 55 points in an elimination final. In 2020 they won one out of their past 10 games as a toxic culture infested internally. Joe Daniher and Adam Saad could not wait to walk out.

Essendon players tangle with Jack Ginnivan. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

In 2021, which was easily the pick of recent seasons, they failed to kick a goal in the second half of their elimination final loss to Western Bulldogs.

Then, last year, there was the farcical finish when Ben Rutten coached against Richmond on Saturday night when the whole world knew he would be sacked the next day.

Board member David Barham became president because he wanted to blow up a club that had lost its way.

Barham may have since secured the stability he sought, but has anything really changed?

And if that did not work then what on earth will? For long-suffering supporters dreaming of a finals win it must sting that even a finals appearance now feels a long way off.

Free agent Darcy Parish remains unsigned, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will ask for a trade to Port Adelaide and the Bombers will finish somewhere between 10-13th on the ladder.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has likely played his last game for Essendon. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Friday night always loomed as a fizzer but after last week’s performance the Bombers should not have let a meaningless match become another massacre.

The Benny Hill music was at full volume when Will Setterfield handballed the Sherrin out of bounds thinking an invisible teammate was there.

Setterfield had a set-shot from the same spot a minute later … which was smothered by Jeremy Howe.

The Bombers’ fans let out their loudest cheer when retiring fan favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was substituted into the match.

Ironically, that coincided with Brody Mihocek drilling Collingwood’s fourth goal.

Pre-game coach Brad Scott vowed on radio to work through until Christmas.

The last two weeks have left Brad Scott with plenty to ponder during the off-season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

But based on results it would appear his players entered holiday mode at the end of July.

Last week they lost contested ball by 41 against the Giants and last night they lost it by 18 in the first half.

There was not a lot to love about this loss. Contrast that to Collingwood and love was in the air … particularly when Jack Ginnivan and Bobby Hill celebrated a goal with a kiss on the cheek.

Magpies coach Craig Macrae has monitored two problems over the past month. The backline had lost connection and the ball had started to live in their back half.

The Magpies had leaked 209 points in the past fortnight but Essendon managed just three goals against them.

The territory battle was, well, not a battle at all. Collingwood won that stat 56-39. They swarmed and sweated on the Bombers early and that set the tone for the entire match.

When Sam Weideman’s set-shot fell short, they moved the ball coast-to-coast like it was a Friday night training session. It ended in a Tom Mitchell goal and the following centre clearance ended in a Jamie Elliott goal.

It was perfection on the periphery of September. The only question was whether it was fool’s gold.

Both sides for good measure 😚😚 pic.twitter.com/v2nGAP9Ax9

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) August 25, 2023

GINNIVAN HEROICS GIVE MCRAE HUGE FINALS HEADACHE

Ed Bourke

Collingwood has put a listless Essendon to the sword with a blistering first half, securing the minor premiership and entering the finals with no fresh injury concerns after a 70-point win.

The Magpies got everything they wanted out of their final home and away clash, but the Bombers couldn’t muster anything that remotely resembled finals-like intensity as they bowed out of 2023 with a whimper.

Jamie Elliott was subbed out after his two-goal first half but the Magpies were not concerned after a corky for the star forward, while Collingwood’s midfield and defence looked their best for more than a month in a welcome return to form.

Jordan De Goey (left) and Bobby Hill enjoy a goal during Collingwood’s first-half demolition. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Jordan De Goey, Jack Crisp and Josh Daicos all produced powerful and confident performances as the Magpies rediscovered their best ball movement, and they adjusted the tempo of the game at will, particularly in an eight-goal first quarter where Essendon barely entered its forward line.

Essendon’s woeful performance was a far from fitting send off for cult figure Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who was unable to sign off with a farewell goal as the Pies claimed their biggest win over the Bombers in 10 years.

Collingwood embarrassed the Bombers during the first half. Picture: Michael Klein.

REHEATED PIES

Collingwood’s slick, run-and-gun brand of footy was at its most potent since the middle of the season in an electric eight-goal first term.

It was the best quarter of Jack Ginnivan’s career as he amassed nine disposals, two tackles and two goals, but all the Magpies’ forwards looked damaging as they scored nine times from 19 inside 50s.

The more pleasing factor for coach Craig McRae would have been the strong defensive control they had over the game despite the attacking onslaught, with Isaac Quaynor and John Noble busy across halfback as the Bombers were held to just two behinds.

TIPPA’S LONG FAREWELL

Essendon had hoped to hold retiring fan favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti from entering his farewell game until the final quarter, but the small forward was thrust into the action before the first break when Kaine Baldwin was ruled out with concussion.

The unfortunate head knock ruined Baldwin’s last chance to make an impression on coach Brad Scott this season, with the key position prospect out of contract following three years at the club.

Bombers fans greeted McDonald-Tipungwuti with a huge cheer as he entered play, while there was plenty of appreciation for Andrew Phillips in (supposedly) the final AFL game for the ruckman at the end of a career-best season.

Jack Ginnivan is taken high by Mason Redman. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

SUB PAIN LOOMS FOR PIES

Ginnivan’s sensational performance cemented his status as a best 22 player for the Magpies, but with Beau McCreery returning from suspension in the qualifying final, a tough decision looms for Craig McRae.

Ginnivan, McCreery and Bobby Hill have only started in the same side on six occasions this season, most recently in round 12 against West Coast.

Collingwood premiership coach Mick Malthouse said on the ABC he thought only one of Ginnivan and Hill could play and the other be used as the sub in finals.