AFL 2020: Essendon torched after Geelong capitulation ends season

Footy commentators have absolutely shredded Essendon after a record first half humiliation killed off their miserable season.

Misery loves company.

At least death came quickly for Essendon fans.

The Bombers’ 2020 season was put out of its misery in a record first half onslaught by the Cats that left footy commentators furious at the lifeless Bombers.

With their season on the line, the Bombers folded at the first bounce.

The 59-point half time margin is the biggest Essendon has had this season.

They were six goals down before they finally woke up.

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The Cats’ rampage continued Essendon’s woeful first-quarter performances this season.

The Bombers have kicked just seven goals in its last eight first quarter. They haven’t led at quarter time since Round 2.

The carnage continued in the second quarter with the Bombers conceding the highest first half score for the entire season.

A late goal to Bombers forward Jake Stringer made the 12.3 (75) to 2.4 (16) half time score flatter the Bombers.

Cats star Tom Hawkins had three goals at the eight minute mark of the second term.

He finished with four goals, extending his lead in the Coleman Medal leaderboard as the Cats were allowed to cruise to a 17.6 (108) to 5.12 (42) win.

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Hawks legend Dermott Brereton and North Melbourne Great David King were scathing of the Bombers at half time.

“They torched them didn’t they. That was extraordinary,” Brereton told Fox Footy.

12 more months.

“They smell blood in the water, the Cats, and they will just maul them in the second half.

King said: “One team’s building for a premiership and one team is looking for the finish line. That’s what it looks like.

“The oxygen has come out of their bubble. Their energy is gone. They look spent. They look like they’re playing for themselves.”

The misery was summed up by Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s first quarter brain fart when he tried to hand off to teammate Irving Mosquito instead of take a set shot from 15m out on a slight angle.

His handball went to ground and the Cats went up the other end to kick their first goal. The Bombers never recovered.

“This is just a smartass play,” Brereton said.

“The rest of the team must have been deflated about that.”

Footy commentators stuck the boot into Essendon before half time, slamming the lifeless performance at a time when the club’s season had still been alive.

Tom Hawkins was treating the Bombers defence like witches hats.

Bombers great Robert Shaw posted on Twitter the team didn’t even deliver a contest.

“Think it’s time for the one hour walk. Just wish the 5km restricted area was a bit further under the circumstances. They are a classier superior combination as expected but minimum expectations should be the contest,” he wrote on Twitter.

Channel 7’s Nathan Templeton posted: “As a Cats fan I’m enjoying this, and no doubt Geelong is a mature team in top form, but it’s pretty weak from Essendon. Just don’t really know where the Bombers are headed. Baffling club”.

Footy reporter Julian de Stoop wrote: “Not a good day for Victorian based Essendon fans

Former football journalist Rohan Connolly wrote: “Don’t think I’m going to be having my now-weekly debate with Essendon fans today about whether this list is good enough to match it with the best. (Hint: it’s not)”.

The defeat ensures Essendon’s run of not winning a finals match since 2004 will continue for another 12 months.