Essendon coach John Worsfold searching for answers after Bombers’ capitulation against Western Bulldogs

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd says the Bombers’ capitulation to the Western Bulldogs was one of the worst performances in Essendon’s history as players say fans have a right to boo them.

A shell-shocked Essendon coach John Worsfold with his captain Dyson Heppell. Picture: Michael Klein

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd has savaged the Bombers’ capitulation to the Western Bulldogs as among the worst performances in the AFL club’s history.

Essendon conceded an astonishing 21 consecutive goals in a 104-point loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

Bombers ruckman Shaun McKernan says angry supporters had every right to boo players during the stunning defeat.

“They have got the right to boo,” he told Channel 7 on Sunday.

“They’re obviously pretty passionate supporters ... and obviously we have to own it as a group and know that we don’t stand for performances like that.”

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Lloyd, a former Essendon captain and the club’s leading goalkicker in 12 seasons, said players deserved the “venom” from fans.

“They were horrible last night, Essendon, one of the worst performances in the history of the club,” Lloyd told Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show.

“The amount of people leaving at halftime, three quarter-time, angry, the venom towards the players for a lack of effort.”

Essendon fans vent their frustration after their side’s 103-point loss. Picture: Michael Klein

After kicking the opening goal of the game 23 seconds after the opening bounce, it took until the 21-minute-mark of the final term for the Bombers to get their second major.

Captain Dyson Heppell said the Bombers couldn’t dodge the heat, but were still in the finals race if they stick together.

“We’ve got to own that,” he said. “It’s not the way we want to play, it’s not what we stand for.

“I’m feeling for our fans, we owe them one I think after that performance.

“We can’t sulk and moan about this but we have to own it, everyone as individuals.

“You can’t just brush over these ones, you really need to learn from it.”

Midfielder Dylan Shiel, who kicked the first goal of the game inside the opening minute then watched the Bulldogs kick the next 21 majors, told 3AW: “Embarrassment is the only way to describe it.”

Bomber fans let loose on social media, leaving thousands of brutal comments on Twitter and Facebook.

Leisa Bonnici Fordgal wrote on the Bombers’ official page: “Never been so embarrassed to be a Bomber supporter ... No heart no passion no pride. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Ziggy Marie wrote: “Maybe the peroxide has fried their brains.”

Mark Richardson offered a tip for selectors: “A suggested change for next week: Out Worsfold, In Caracella.”

John Worsfold should apologise to the fans for the lack of spirit and respect for that jumper. Or resign. #Essendon @essendonfc

— Gander (@Scholar_23) August 10, 2019

Move Essendon to Tassie

— Fraser Pearson (@PearsonFraser) August 10, 2019

Riveting contest. North 1.8 (14) lead Essendon 1.7 (13) 5 minutes into the last quarter.

— lex 🏳️‍🌈 (@lex577) August 10, 2019

In his post-match press conference, Worsfold admitted the result was “hard to explain” and said the performance was “not who we are”.

But he stressed his resolve to lead this club towards its elusive 17th premiership had not wavered, despite it looking like his team was “a million miles away” from a flag.

Asked what message he had for the fuming fan base, he said: “We are just as disappointed as you and we are just as frustrated.”

“We have a focus in this (playing) group … and it won’t be this exact group of trying to win the (club’s next) premiership.

“Right now that feels like it is miles away, but three weeks ago, it didn’t feel like it was miles away.”

Worsfold was more frustrated than angry, but insisted the game review would be a balanced one.

“It’s not the first time it has happened in the history of the game and it won’t be the last,” he said.

“No team is immune (from losses like that).

“There is no doubt at times tonight you would think this is a brutal game — and it is not much fun.

“But I’ve been there before and taken teams through that and learnt through it.

“I’m more than comfortable that I have done it before and (I) will do it again.”

Worsfold has been left searching for answers by his insipid Bombers. Picture: AAP

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Essendon sits in seventh position on 11 wins, but lost almost seven percentage points on the night, with the Bulldogs and other sides chasing their top eight spot.

Worsfold said his message the players was simple — they need to get the hunger back fast.

He refused to blame the club’s long injury list for the reasons behind last night’s flogging, but hopes to get Aaron Francis and Darcy Parish back for the crucial clash with the Dockers, while Adam Saad is an outside chance to play.

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