Essendon overcomes loss of Dyson Heppell and a towering Harris Andrews to beat wasteful Lions

LUKE Hodge’s brutal bump on Dyson Heppell is certain to be reviewed, but not even the loss of their skipper could bump the Bombers off their course as they proved too slick for Brisbane.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — JUNE 10: Mitch Brown of the Bombers celebrates a goal during the round 12 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Essendon Bombers at The Gabba on June 10, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

ESSENDON have overcome the loss of skipper Dyson Heppell to withstand a Lions fightback and claim a 22-point win at the Gabba.

In a scrappy affair in which poor goal kicking was a blight on both side’s performance, the weight of inside fifty entries for the Bombers led to the 12.12 (84) to 8.14 (62) victory.

Had it not been for a best on ground performance by Lions’ defender Harris Andrews the margin may have been greater.

STATS, SUPERCOACH: NEW BOMBERS GET IT DONE

He gathered 24 possessions and took 12 marks to stake another claim on his first All Australian jumper.

Dyson Heppell started well before being crunched. Pic: Getty Images

Heppell was clearly the best on ground at the moment when he crunched in a brutal front-on collision with Luke Hodge in the second quarter.

At that stage he had nine disposals and the Bombers led by nine points.

It led to the unusual situation of a Lions player being booed at the Gabba as the Bombers’ faithful appeared to outnumber the Lions in the 20,476 crowd.

It is hard to see what alternative Hodge had and no free kick was paid but the fact Heppell was concussed and took no further part in the game ensures the incident will be looked at.

The veteran Lion was chasing a loose ball that had bounced between the two players, he laid a finger on the footy but fumbled and cannoned into the oncoming Heppell as he attempted to regain possession.

Eric Hipwood kicked a couple. Pic: Getty Images

Harris Andrews thwarted several Bomber attacks. Pic: AAP

The Bombers captain wore the full brunt of the bump, it appeared Hodge’s shoulder made contact with his head, and he was assisted from the field nursing a bleeding mouth.

The Bombers’ lead stretched to 29 points early in the third quarter, led by a great midfield game from Zach Merrett and continued good form from Jake Stringer, before the Lions started to storm back.

The Lions kicked three straight goals either side of three quarter time to draw within 14 points.

During that time Devon Smith, Jake Stringer and former Lion Josh Green squandered opportunities.

A Dan McStay miss from almost dead in front and only 20m out became the classic 12 point play as the Bombers went coast-to-coast for Mitch Brown to goal and put an end to the streak.

The two sides traded goals in the final quarter but the Bombers never looked seriously challenged from that point.

Jake Stringer kicked three important goals. Pic: AAP

ESSENDON 4.0 7.4 8.11 12.12 (84) BRISBANE LIONS 2.4 3.7 5.9 8.14 (62)

Goals: Essendon: J Stringer 3 A McDonald-Tipungwuti 2 D Heppell 2 M Brown 2 J Green M Guelfi S McKernan. Brisbane Lions: D Zorko 2 E Hipwood 2 D McStay J Berry O McInerney S Martin.

Best: Essendon: Stringer, Merrett, Redman, Saad, Myers, Hurley

Brisbane: Andrews, Witherden, Rich, Martin, Zorko, Gardine

Umpires: Shane McInerney, Robert O’Gorman, Brent Wallace.

Official Crowd: 20,476 at Gabba

Votes

3 — H Andrews

2 — J Stringer

1 — Z Merrett

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s pressure was important. Pic: Getty Images

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Originally published as Essendon overcomes loss of Dyson Heppell and a towering Harris Andrews to beat wasteful Lions