Jake Stringer kicks a bag as Essendon Bombers silence West Coast Eagles’ fightback

Brad Scott won’t be drawn on Essendon’s firming grasp on a top four spot, saying the ladder doesn’t have “any relevance” to the way Essendon is approaching its run home.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 23: Jake Stringer of the Bombers celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 15 match between the Essendon Bombers and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on June 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Essendon coach Brad Scott says the ladder is yet to gain “any relevance” to the Bombers.

The Bombers leaped over Collingwood into third on the ladder after 15 rounds with a 30-point win over West Coast on Sunday.

But Scott says the ninth-placed Brisbane is the “perfect example” as to why the ladder isn’t reflective of current standings.

“I don’t really study the ladder but it doesn’t feel firm to me, it feels like there’s a blanket over (several teams),” he said.

“Like everyone I watched the Brisbane game and I think one of the commentators said ‘how are Brisbane where they are on the ladder?’.

“They (Brisbane) are just the perfect example of the ladder, to me it will have relevance at some point, but right now it just doesn’t have any relevance to us.

“It’s about how we can get better.”

Scott doubled down on how quickly things can change and uses emerging midfielder Sam Durham as an example.

Durham was among the Bombers’ best on Sunday with a game-high 29 disposals and is enjoying a career-best season.

“Even with some of our personnel, our development coaches, recruiting staff, have done a great job bringing people in,” he said.

“But if I sat here two years ago saying Sam Durham would be doing what he’s doing, no one would’ve believed me.

“He’s just one example of how quickly things can change.”

Scott is looking forward to the selection dilemmas a strong performance form second-gamer Nate Caddy provides.

Todd Goldstein was managed in the hour before the game, allowing Caddy to come in and kick two impressive goals.

“I like the position we’re in because all week we were going to go with Goldstein and (Sam) Draper but in the end we looked at our forward half,” he said.

“The opportunity to bring Cadds in for Goldy was a late decision but I think it has paid off both in exposing Caddy and having a fresh and fit Goldstein to play with Draper next week.”

STRINGER SETS DONS APART FROM EAGLES

A dominant Jake Stringer was the difference between Essendon and a huge boilover.

The out-of-contract Bomber fired off five goals as his side held off a plucky West Coast on Sunday, 19.8 (122) to 13.14 (92).

The Bombers kicked two goals inside the final minute to push the margin out to five goals.

The Eagles won the first and third quarters in a promising display without midfield stars Harley Reid and Tim Kelly.

Stringer was followed closely by young Eagle Brady Hough but managed to get six looks on goal.

Jake Stringer kicked five goals on Sunday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

He also contributed to several other scores when thrown into the middle.

West Coast captain Oscar Allen made an unscathed return from injury but was rusty – dropping an uncontested mark which would’ve resulted in a shot on goal in the first quarter and kicking 2.3 for the afternoon.

Elliot Yeo justified his recent three-year contract extension with another top performance leading the Eagles’ midfield.

The win propels Essendon ahead Collingwood and back into third on the ladder.

RYAN FLYIN’ UP THE GROUND

Liam Ryan looked at home in West Coast’s midfield in the absence of the suspended Harley Reid and injured Tim Kelly.

Ryan attended majority of the centre bounces in a role much further up the ground than the livewire has become known for.

Ryan was the Eagles’ leading possession winner at three-quarter time but quickly slid down the list after a quiet last quarter.

A GLIMPSE OF CADDY

Essendon certainly has a highlight reel in the making in forward Nate Caddy.

Essendon’s first pick from last year’s draft was a late in as the Bombers managed ruckman Todd Goldstein.

Nate Caddy kicked his first goal in red and black on Sunday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

The 19-year-old has been in super form in the VFL and showed a hint of his potential with two very different but equally as exciting goals.

Caddy’s first goal came via a clever left-foot snap in general play and his second followed a strong pack mark.

DARLING SURPASSES COX

West Coast forward Jack Darling passed fellow premiership player Dean Cox for games played in the blue and gold on Sunday.

Darling, who has kicked the second-most goals for the Eagles, exceeded Cox in his 291st game to stand second on the club’s game’s played record list as well.

Darling, 32, remains a long way from dethroning Shannon Hurn on the club-high 333 games.

He finished with two goals in the Eagles’ 11th loss of the year.

Jamie Cripps (left) and Oscar Allen of the Eagles celebrate a goal on return for the Eagles’ co-captain. Allen played his first game since Round 1. Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

ESSENDON 4.2 10.4 14.5 19.8 (122)

WEST COAST EAGLES 4.3 6.5 11.10 12.14 (92)

GOALS

Bombers: Stringer 5, Guelfi 2, Wright 2, Caddy 2, Langford, Merrett, Hind, Duursma, Caldwell, Durham

Eagles: Waterman 3, Cripps 2, Darling 2, Petruccelle 2, Allen 2, Chesser, Yeo

BEST

Bombers: Stringer, Durham, Caldwell, Merrett

Eagles: Yeo, Ryan, Cripps, Barrass

INJURIES

Bombers: nil.

Eagles: nil.

40, 840 at Marvel Stadium

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

TYLER LEWIS’S VOTES

3 Jake Stringer

2 Sam Durham

1 Elliot Yeo

Originally published as Jake Stringer kicks a bag as Essendon Bombers silence West Coast Eagles’ fightback