Essendon have silenced their critics and proven they are a serious contender in 2024 after holding off a surging Collingwood side by 12 points in one of the grittiest wins you will see this season.
After the Pies got a big jump on them kicking five of the first six goals of the match, Essendon dug deep to work their way back into the contest and prevail at the final siren 13.14 (92) to 12.8 (80).
The game did not disappoint as almost 82,000 people turned out to watch the Friday night thriller at the MCG with both sides vying for a spot in the top four come the end of the season.
The game went down to the wire as Collingwood came home with a wet sail kicking four of the last five goals to uncover a few nerves, but it was too late as the Bombers stuck firm and held off the charge.
It was a morale-boosting win for the Bombers who will look to continue that momentum into next week’s game against Melbourne after an eight-day break. While Collingwood now have a bit of thinking to do, two losses on the trot and they are at risk of dropping out of the top eight.
The Pies are still missing some key personnel and added some more casualties to their injury list on Friday night as key forward Brody Mihocek suffered a suspected torn pectoral muscle, while ruckman Darcy Cameron was taken to hospital with a potential rib fracture.
Isaac Quaynor came from the ground in the last quarter with what appeared to be a foot injury while Charlie Dean was also subbed out of the game with injury late in the third quarter.
Despite these injury clouds, credit went to the Bombers as they controlled the ball late and while the Pies missed some gettable chances, the Dons resisted immense pressure and deservedly took home their 10th win of the year.
Zach Merrett played a true captain’s game inspiring his side with some last quarter efforts to help drag them over the line to secure the four points.
The fearless leader had 30 disposals, 15 score involvements, a goal and five clearances – but the most pleasing thing was his incredible work rate which set the tone for the whole side. Essendon took a step towards proving to the competition that they are the real deal and sit third on the ladder.
Brody Mihocek injures his pectoral muscle after a marking contest in the last quarter.
First quarter
Essendon drew first blood through Merrett as he slotted a set shot from the left side boundary and got the fans and his teammates up and about.
Jeremy Howe was soon to reply with a snap around the body to hit the front before Jack Crisp decided to get involved in the contest with a sensational snap goal. But he was just getting started as he streamed out of the middle just seconds later and slammed the ball home from 50 metres, the black and white faithful erupting with an almighty roar. Crisp wasn’t done yet as he added an unprecedented third consecutive goal from another stoppage. Three rapid goals from the man of the moment and the Pies were off to a flying start. Harvey Harrison added another for Collingwood giving them a 21-point lead and it looked like the game was quickly slipping away from Brad Scott’s men.
A goal from Jake Stringer after the first quarter siren was much needed and stemmed the bleeding a bit as the second quarter begun. Merrett had 11 first quarter disposals and had been involved in eight of Essendon’s 10 scores, generating great scoring opportunities for his forwards.
Second quarter
For Essendon, Kyle Langford, Jade Gresham, Harrison Jones and young star Nate Caddy kicked majors in the second quarter while Collingwood found avenues to goal through Howe and Lachie Schultz. Scott Pendlebury lifted the crowd as he streamed inside 50 with Sam Draper hot on his tail, he found the boot despite contact and put through his 200th career goal.
Nick Daicos had 31 disposals and 12 clearances despite Sam Durham working hard to nullify his impact.
Third quarter
After half time, the Bombers made a statement as they brought immense pressure around the contest and kicked four unanswered goals in the third quarter to put them in the box seat for the win.
Essendon kicked 4.4 to 0.3 in the third quarter and all of a sudden, they had gone from trailing by a goal to sitting in a good position.
The nullified output of Nick Daicos in this quarter helped the Bombers get ascendancy on the game, as Sam Durham restricted him to four disposals, getting eight of his own.
While a 17-point lead at three quarter time should fill a side with confidence, it doesn’t have that effect when playing against the comeback kings.
Collingwood seems to relish this sort of margin and the Bombers knew they would come – this game was far from over.
Fourth quarter
Essendon came out firing as Matt Guelfi capitalised on a turnover throwing the ball on his boot and bending it home to put them up by 23 points.
When Jye Caldwell caught Ned Long holding the ball, went back and slotted it straight through the middle, it looked like a mountain too high to climb for the Pies.
Essendon had kicked six straight and the margin had blown out to 31 points before Harrison burst through the corridor, took a bounce, ran to 50 and bounced it through for a goal in a magnificent passage of play.
Peter Wright had the reply with an arrow-straight drop punt from the boundary and despite three late Collingwood goals (two through Nathan Krueger), it wasn’t enough as Essendon held on for victory.
Despite some attention from Durham, Daicos showed why he is a favourite for the Brownlow Medal as he collected 31 disposals and 12 clearances. Steele Sidebottom (34 disposals) and Crisp (24 disposals, three goals) both had a great impact on the game.
On the winning side, Jye Caldwell had one of the best games of his career with 30 disposals, eight clearances, seven tackles and a goal. Dylan Shiel (26 disposals) and Durham (25 disposals) were also key players, but it was defender Ben McKay who was one of the standouts with 19 disposals, eight intercept possessions and 11 marks.
Essendon coach, Brad Scott was impressed with the way his side withstood the intensity of the reigning premiers to get the desired result late in the game.
“Collingwood got off to a good start and we were able to regain our composure … that part was really pleasing,” he said.
“We didn’t get too distracted by the scoreboard starting to slip away from us … we were able to get the momentum back and not only get it back, but control large parts of the game from quarter time.
“Everyone knows that Collingwood are going to keep coming at you, we had a plan for that … are we going to sit back and be passive or are we going to attack and win that momentum.”
Scott said that while the win was a big step forward and showcased growth within the group, it was important to take it one week at a time.
“I wish this win tonight meant we were away and flying but the challenges keep coming next week,” he said.
Nate Caddy built on last week's two-goal performance against West Coast Eagles as he kicked one goal and took some big marks.
Scott was excited by the talent that the 18-year-old displayed in just his third career game at the top level.
“He’s a point of difference, it’s very rare you see a first-year key forward who can have an impact on a game like he can,” he said.
“He’s a very exciting player and a really big part of what we’re doing.”
Nate Caddy is quickly gaining cult-figure status with the blonde hair and fluro boots, he kicked 1.3 in the 12-point victory.
Collingwood coach, Craig McRae said there were a lot of areas that the side needed to improve if it was going to mix it with the best, starting with bringing a higher level of pressure.
“It was hard to watch at times, there were some passages of really unpredictable play for us … at times it was a bit unrecognisable,” he said.
McRae added to the Pies woes confirming that the club believed Mihocek’s pectoral muscle tear would likely require surgery, meaning he would miss the remainder of the season.
It doesn’t get any easier for the injury-ridden Pies as they take on Geelong next Friday night, while the Bombers will go into their clash against the Demons as favourites.
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