Brisbane Lions defeat Essendon by 18 points: SuperCoach talking points

Jye Caldwell has emerged as a midyear SuperCoach steal after leading a second-half comeback which threatened to inspire Essendon to a huge boilover before falling short against Brisbane.

Hugh McCluggage had a career-high 41 disposals as Brisbane survived a scare at the Gabba on Thursday to beat a gallant Essendon.

McCluggage’s blitz was complemented by Kai Lohmann’s return to goal-kicking form, with the premiership-winning forward booting three majors in the Lions’ 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) win.

Recap all the action and SuperCoach talking points in our blog below

Brisbane seemed in for an easy night after taking a 32-point lead into quarter-time.

However, the Bombers weren’t ready to throw in the towel, chipping away at the Lions’ lead before going ahead for the first time in the match eight minutes into the final quarter.

But Brisbane steadied when it mattered most, kicking the final three goals of the contest to secure their ninth win of the season and condemning the Bombers to the fifth defeat of their campaign.

Lions coach Chris Fagan called for McCluggage to be rewarded with All-Australian selection after another superb display.

McCluggage produced a best-on-ground performance with a career-high 41 disposals, including five score assists and 11 score involvements, in Brisbane’s 18-point win over Essendon.

“Hughy McCluggage’s game was huge,” Fagan said.

“He goes about it in a quiet manner but he’s effective, a silent assassin out there.”

McCluggage, 27, has made four All-Australian squads but is yet to make the final team in his eight previous AFL seasons.

“I hope at some point in time he wins an All-Australian guernsey because he’s been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. The first couple of years he was developing.

“He’s one of those fellows who is forever trying to improve. He’s probably worked harder on the pressure defensive side of his game, both to get his body stronger, but also to get involved more in that.

Hugh McCluggage was superb. Picture: Getty Images

“That’s a part of his game that’s grown, and he’s always been really good with the ball.”

Apart from McCluggage, Will Ashcroft had 30 possessions, while two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale chipped in with 26.

Jye Caldwell had 30 disposals for the Bombers, with Nic Martin contributing to Essendon’s cause with 29 possessions, including a goal.

Essendon coach Brad Scott says his side took a “huge step forward”.

“They were dominant clearly to start the game and jumped us, but I thought we wrestled our way back into the contest really well,” Scott said.

“It wasn’t as if I felt like we let it slip. We fought our way back in, got back in front, and they responded as good teams do.”

Scott was proud of his young team’s “fight” and “exuberance”.

“It was a huge step forward for us in terms of everything - character, fight, effort, contest, the exuberance of youth, young players who don’t use that as an excuse,” he said.

“We have expectations. We think those players that we selected are capable and that’s been our message to them, and they held up their end of the bargain.

“There were a number of critical contests where our players stood up, but to Brisbane’s credit, they’re a good side, and when challenged, they respond.

“We were able to defend reasonably well, but not well enough over the course of the game to be considered a top-tier side, but if you’re going to test out your defence, playing against Brisbane at the Gabba is a good way to do that.

“The foundation of the game is the contest, and I think that that stood up fairly well tonight.”

The injury-hit Bombers produced a brave second-half comeback.

EARLY BLITZ

Having bounced back to form last Saturday against Hawthorn, the Lions took control from the outset against the sleepy Bombers, kicking six of the seven goals booted in the first quarter.

The Lions goal-kickers included Lohmann, who finally broke his drought in what has been an injury-interrupted season for the premiership winning forward.

There were fears soon after that Lohmann might have suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury after landing awkwardly.

He went straight down the tunnel, but much to Brisbane’s relief, he returned to action at the start of the second quarter.

The Lions’ first-quarter dominance was built around their marking superiority.

Overall, they outmarked the Bombers 39 to 15, which included an eight to one advantage in uncontested marks.

Nate Caddy had a big impact for the Bombers.

Hugh McCluggage produced career-best numbers for the Lions.

COOL CUSTOMER CADDY

Nate Caddy kicked a contender for goal of the season during an Essendon third-quarter surge that brought the Bombers well and truly into the contest.

Fed by Jade Gresham, the teenage forward unleashed an overhead kick that not only found its target, but levelled scores at 58-58.

It was Essendon’s fifth goal of the quarter, with Caddy contributing two. He also could have kicked another major after taking a mark just outside the goal square.

However, rather than steady, he elected to play on and scuffed his kick, costing the Bombers what should have been a certain goal for the visitors.

But his contribution was still immense, as was the third-quarter performance of his teammate Jye Caldwell, who collected 18 possessions, including a goal, in a magnificent contribution.

Scott was wrapped with Caddy’s game.

Nate Caddy over the head goal

“That’s the best game I’ve seen him play, and not just because of the goal over his head,” Scott said of Caddy.

“He’s going to learn that he’s capable of challenging the best key defenders (Harris Andrews) in the competition.

“He’s just a really impressive athlete, and he can do things that others can’t.

“There’s not many 19-year-olds who can, when Peter Wright’s in the ruck and Todd Goldstein’s having a well=earned rest, he’s holding up, you know, a forward line.

“I can’t recall too many 19-year-olds doing that. He’s been terrific for us, and we still think there’s so much upside, so clearly we’re excited.”

The Lions kicked the final two goals of the quarter to lead by 12 points at the final break, the Bombers ensured the game was up for grabs heading into the final quarter.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions defeat Essendon by 18 points: SuperCoach talking points