The injury-ravaged Bombers have collapsed once more, succumbing to the Giants by 48 factors at Marvel Stadium on Thursday evening.
Essendon wanted to begin quick to have any likelihood in opposition to the top-four-placed GWS aspect, however they by no means gave themselves one.
Whereas they peppered the scoreboard, they received little reward, kicking seven objectives and 14 behinds in one other disappointing efficiency.
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On the different aspect of the bottom, former Bomber Jake Stringer starred in opposition to his outdated aspect, scoring 3.1. Teammate Tom Inexperienced was additionally deadly with 30 disposals, 16 clearances and a aim.
Jake Stringer of the Giants celebrates a aim in opposition to his outdated membership. Morgan Hancock through Getty Pictures
Regardless of dominating possession and territory within the first time period, the depleted Bombers had been wasteful in entrance of aim.
Whereas the Bombers’ photographs at aim went wayward, the Giants slotted back-to-back objectives from free kicks by Toby Greene and Aaron Cadman.
At quarter time, Essendon’s scorecard learn 0.5 (5) after 4 failed targets.
“This builds on you as a participant when there’re a number of behinds. Particularly after final week once they kicked one aim after quarter time,” Jack Riewoldt instructed Fox Footy.
“They’d know that stat and know it has been 4 quarters since they’ve kicked a aim. That builds on you as a goalkicker — personally and as a group.”
However the ache flowed into the second time period with the Bombers’ first aim of the match not coming till 25 minutes in, regardless of having had extra scoring photographs.
The Bombers make their method off the bottom following their loss to the Giants. Morgan Hancock through Getty Pictures
The main got here from Essendon’s mature-age debutant Liam McMahon.
With McMahon’s introduction, Essendon equalled Fitzroy’s report of 13 debutants within the one season, which was set again in 1991.
McMahon completed one of the best of the Bombers with two objectives, alongside key ahead Peter Wright.
“It is deflating since you’ve completed a lot exhausting work to create the chance, then you do not get the reward,” Hawks legend Jason Dunstall stated in commentary.
“That saps the gamers up-field [and] the arrogance of the participant who misses goes down, then the subsequent bloke who’s received to kick goes, ‘Aw gee, what if I miss?’ And also you begin having adverse ideas as a result of everybody has been lacking.”
Within the third time period, Essendon midfielder Sam Durham got here from the bottom for a concussion check after being wrapped up in a sort out by GWS ruck Kieren Briggs.
The act might see Briggs in scorching water with match evaluate officer Michael Christian after Durham’s head slammed into the turf along with his arms pinned.
Happily, Durham returned after the three-quarter time break.
Essendon defender Jayden Laverde might additionally come beneath scrutiny after he was penalised for tunnelling. The incident noticed Cadman come crashing down from a marking try.
The 16.8 (104) to 7.14 (56) victory gave GWS’ finals hopes a much-needed increase.
