Essendon fans optimistic 6302-day drought will end soon despite ‘nightmare’ loss

Essendon’s season ended with a brutal loss to the Western Bulldogs, but fans have reason to believe a horror drought will end soon.

Essendon’s unwanted finals record continues for another year. (Photo by Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Essendon fans starved of finals success are searching for any shred of optimism after their club was bundled out of the AFL finals at the hands of the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

It was a close contest in the first quarter, but the Bombers struggled to hit the scoreboard as the Bulldogs ran away with the match to claim a 49-point victory and book their place in a semi-final.

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In wet conditions at UTAS Stadium in Launceston, Essendon only managed four goals for the entire game and didn’t kick a single major in the second half.

While the Bulldogs now prepare for a clash against Brisbane next weekend, the Bombers’ season is over, meaning one of the longest droughts in AFL will continue into an 18th year.

Essendon has not won a final since 2004, or 6302 days ago, and the loss to the Bulldogs was its sixth consecutive defeat in an elimination final.

The Gold Coast Suns, an expansion team, is the only team other side in the AFL that hasn’t won a final during the Bombers’ long run without success.

But Essendon fans have reason to believe that unwanted streak will be broken in the near future.

The Bombers’ unwanted finals streak continues for another year. (Photo by Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

After finishing 13th on the ladder last season, few pundits expected the Bombers to return to finals action so soon.

Darcy Parish had 35 disposals against the Bulldogs to cap off an outstanding breakout year, while supporters of the red and black have also been buoyed by the emergence of young guns Sam Draper, Archie Perkins and Sam Durham.

Bombers finished 2020 with players heading for the exit door and question marks everywhere.

12 months on they re-sign their two best midfielders (Merrett/Parish) and rapid improvement across list.

Heppell (190 games) most experienced player today. All upside ✅ #AFLDogsDons

— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7) August 29, 2021

Real rough for the Dons today. Incredible year and surprised plenty by making the 8. Parish announced himself.

That streak is ending soon. #AFLDogsDons

— Jack Hudson (@jhudson_10) August 29, 2021

Oh well, honestly, great year for Essendon outside of that nightmare final. Thought they had no chance of making finals in preseason and they did with a list that is incredibly young. Seems like they have the right coach and staff. Reason for optimism going forward for sure.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) August 29, 2021

“Genuinely the most fun I’ve had watching Essendon since like 2001,” sports producer Chris De Silva tweeted.

“Bulldogs’ experience was telling in that second half, plenty to take out of it for the young Dons. Onwards and upwards.”

“Well done Dogs, far too good and too efficient. BUT I am pretty proud of what my team has done this year,” footy journalist Rohan Connolly said on social media.

Darcy Parish’s season has Bombers fans feeling upbeat. (Photo by Rob Blakers/Getty Images)

“Still finetuning to be done, but Bombers have an exciting few years ahead of them.

“Essendon fans haven’t been able to say that for a long time.”

“Not many positives for the Bombers today but Darcy Parish magnificent in a big game again,” SEN producer Julian de Stoop said.

“Fantastic year, Bombers. Green shoots galore, and took it right up to a side that sat top with three rounds to go to HT,” AAP reporter Callum Goode tweeted.

“Poor second half but the experience will hold this young team in good stead.”

The Bulldogs ended their own finals drought — albeit a much shorter one — winning their first final since they won the premiership back in 2016.

Originally published as Essendon fans optimistic 6302-day drought will end soon despite ‘nightmare’ loss