AFL 2024: Bombers cement spot in top four with 82-62 win over GWS

For an age the Bombers have continued to tease their fans, only to fall flat on their faces. After another big win, it seems that finally, the AFL’s sleeping giant has awoken.

Sam Landsberger

@samlandsberger

4 min read

May 11, 2024 - 9:40PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 11: Mason Redman of the Bombers celebrates kicking a goal during the round nine AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium, on May 11, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

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After Essendon held all the answers against Greater Western Sydney there was one question that stumped Dyson Heppell.

Do you know where you are on the ladder?

“No idea,” Heppell said.

Third.

“That’s pretty nice,” Heppell smiled.

Yes, the Bombers are third with matches against the bottom two clubs – North Melbourne and Richmond – to come.

Essendon’s emergence is real. The club that has been a laughing stock for the best part of two decades should be entrenched in the top four at the halfway mark of the season.

The club’s extended run of mediocrity will ensure this team will still have its fair share of doubters.

The non-believers will point to their percentage of just 98.1. They will argue that Champion Data’s expected scores ladder shows they have been fortunate in several of their wins.

Good luck to them all.

But the fact is that on Saturday the Bombers took down one of the premiership favourites with a victory dripping in resilience and maturity.

Are the Bombers the real deal? Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos

Consider this. When Toby Greene soccered through the easiest of goals the Giants led by 22 points.

In their past five and a bit quarters against the Bombers they had kicked 30.15 (195) to 6.11 (47).

You would’ve forgiven jaded Essendon supporters for considering an early exit. Last year they might have wilted.

Well, not just last year, but perhaps for most of the last decade they might have wilted.

But on Saturday they got to work and outscored the Giants 11.5 (71) to 4.5 (29) from thereon.

“You don’t forget those days at the backend of last year when you’re playing for something and it sort of had a bit of extra motivation and sting in it to fire up today and the boys were outstanding,” Heppell said.

The Bombers ended last season with losses to GWS and Collingwood totalling 196 points

This year they have drawn with the Magpies and beaten the Giants through sheer hunger and desperation.

Most Bombers stood hunched over with their hands on their knees on the final siren.

Before celebrating they needed to catch their breath because they had given their all.

The effort this club gives has been unquestionable in eight out of nine matches this season.

They are better than an honest team. They play their hearts out and their list of genuine A-graders is growing.

Kyle Langford continued his extraordinary year. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Giants coach Adam Kingsley is a believer in the Bombers. They have dropped three of their past four matches against clubs Kingsley expected to finish the season in the top six – Carlton, Sydney and Essendon.

So too was a tram driver outside Marvel Stadium, who declared on the loud speaker: “Finals here we come” and sang the first two bars of the club song that triggered a rendition by joyful supporters.

Bombers coach Brad Scott said he could hear the faithful’s pride through his airconditioned soundproof box.

“Of course everyone wants to bloody play finals otherwise there’s no point being here,” Heppell said.

“Honestly haven’t given two thoughts to it, though. We’re nearing the midway point of the season and over the next 4-6 weeks is where a lot of teams will get sorted out.

“So we just want to stay amongst the pack.”

Kyle Langford is one of those A-graders.

The full-forward’s pair of second-quarter goals – snapped from the boundary line in opposing pockets – raised the roof.

Zach Merrett is the biggest star they have and in the third quarter he helped turn the screws.

It wasn’t through weight of disposals, but through sheer quality.

They call it the “money kick” when a player delivers the ball inside 50m and Merrett’s passes were perfect.

Harry Jones was on the end of one and Mason Redman another.

Mason Redman celebrates his goal during the win over GWS. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Redman has not enjoyed his best season. But he enjoyed his best moment of the season after that delightful assist from the skipper.

Redman went back and thumped through a 55m goal that delivered the Bombers the lead.

It was an odd goalkicking day for the Bombers, who finished with 6.1 on the run and 6.8 from set-shots.

Late last year Jesse Hogan thumped through 9.1 against the Bombers. It was a major reason why they shelled out $5.5 million to purchase full-back Ben McKay.

That match-up was enthralling. Hogan finished with 2.1 – all kicked in the first half – and McKay finished by taking the points.

Hogan went unsighted in the second half, registering just one kick.

But McKay’s value extends further beyond his intercept marking and blanketing powers. Last year Jayden Laverde and the likes were exposed.

On Saturday Laverde was spared the task of a Hogan and allowed to line up on Aaron Cadman and Jake Riccardi, players far closer to his weight division.

The scenes on the siren were surreal. Bombers fans were jumping for joy inside Marvel Stadium.

The roof remained closed. But the proverbial lid was exploding off.