Essendon completely humiliate Geelong as scrutinised game plan clicks into gear

A WEEK after its horror loss to Carlton, the Bombers fan who set his scarf alight might be regretting his decision as a resurgent Essendon breathed fire back into its season, writes CHRIS CAVANAGH.

Essendon was manic against the Cats. Pic: Michael Klein

ESSENDON kept saying it was trying to play the modern game, but the experts were not seeing it and the statistics weren’t showing it.

In his Sunday Herald Sun column last week, veteran Brendon Goddard labelled suggestions the Bombers were trying to play differently to other sides “complete nonsense”.

“Like all teams, we are trying to play the game in our forward line, cause midfield turnovers and put the opposition under pressure,” Goddard wrote.

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Far from pointing the finger at the game plan for a 2-6 start to the season, Goddard instead said players had simply not “been able to execute” the way the coaches wanted.

But finally something clicked against Geelong, for the Bombers executed a very modern game style to a tee as they not only beat but completely humiliated a Cats side which had sat as second-favourite for this year’s premiership.

Essendon's Matt Guelfi typifies his club’s pressure. Pic: Michael Klein

Orazio Fantasia was lively in attack. Pic: Michael Klein

Essendon brought intense pressure from the first bounce, controlled territory, moved the ball quickly and cleanly forward and caused turnovers on their way to a 34-point triumph at the MCG.

At halftime, the Bombers had recorded 12 tackles inside-50 after averaging just 10.1 a game across the first eight rounds and had a pressure index rating of 236 — well above the AFL average of 182.

The time in forward half percentage was 58-42 in favour of the Bombers, they led the clearances 24-17 and inside-50s, 37-23.

Essendon's Cale Hooker was best afield. Pic: Michael Klein

Essendon debutant Jordan Ridley did some nice things. Pic: Michael Klein

Holding a 44-point lead, the game was all-but over and a team which had looked directionless and devoid of confidence after last week’s loss to a previously winless Carlton was looking as sharp as any team in the competition.

Players who had been down on form stepped up.

Cale Hooker wore Tom Hawkins like a glove in a backline that was missing Michael Hurley, Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell led from the front in the midfield, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti looked dangerous whenever he went near the footy and fellow forward Shaun McKernan bagged a career-high four goals.

The Bombers were a different side against the Cats. Pic: AAP

In contrast it was a dirty day for many of the key Cats, Chris Scott’s side failing to take a mark inside-50 in the opening half and having just three goals to their name at the final change.

Legendary Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy warned during the week things can turn “very, very quickly” in football, pointing to Sydney recovering from a 0-6 start last year to play finals.

While a similar turnaround and push for September remains a long shot, the Bombers fan who set his scarf alight after last week’s loss to Carlton might be regretting his decision because some fire has just been breathed back into the club’s season.

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It was a dark day for the Cats. Pic: AAP

ESSENDON 5.2 9.5 10.11 12.12 (84) GEELONG 2.2 2.3 3.5 7.8 (50)

Goals: Essendon: S McKernan 4 O Fantasia 2 C McKenna D Heppell J Stewart J Stringer M Baguley M Guelfi. Geelong: T Hawkins 3 P Dangerfield 2 J Selwood S Crameri.

Best: Essendon: Hooker, Merrett, McKernan, Smith, Heppell, Zaharakis, McDonald-Tipungwuti

Geelong: Selwood, Tuohy, Duncan, Dangerfield, Hawkins

Umpires: Justin Schmitt, Sam Hay, Alex Whetton.

Official Crowd: 50,228 at MCG.

VOTES:

3 — Cale Hooker

2 — Zach Merrett

1 — Shaun McKernan

Geelong's Stuart Crameri shares a moment with Dyson Heppell after the game. Pic: Michael Klein

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