50 Best Essendon Wins since 2000 (countdown)

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Best Win Since 2000 No. 37

Round 16 2014 vs Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide 1.4.10 2.8.20 4.14.38 7.18.60
Essendon 2.4.16 6.8.44 7.12.54 8.14.62

Context

  • Essendon were 10th, a game outside the 8 and coming off a close loss to Geelong at Docklands. Essendon had struggled interstate already earlier in the season, losing by 53 points against a top 4 Fremantle outfit, scraping over the line against bottom of the league Brisbane, and winning in underwhelming fashion against another bottom of the league club in GWS.

  • Port Adelaide were continuing their rapid improvement under coach, Ken Hinkley, sitting in 2nd on the ladder with a strong 141.9%.

Why it’s on the list / key moments

  • The Bombers had very little reason to think they could win this one, but somehow pulled through, thanks in large part to their first half which earned them a strong 44-20 lead at HT.

  • Port had many chances in the 2nd half but Essendon held on under intense pressure, both in the game and in the context of their season.

  • The dewy conditions, as we know, are and were rarely the Bombers’ strong suit, but they managed to make the most of their fewer shots at goal. They also had 6 fewer clangers.

  • With about 10 minutes remaining, Dyson Heppell intercepted a touched clearing kick just inside 50 and kicked a crucial goal under pressure to put the Bombers 8 points up.

  • Click here for the Essendon goals/highlights.

Extra notes

  • Essendon won the tackle count 96-62.

What happened next?

  • Essendon continued their purple patch the following week against Collingwood before entering the finals in unconvincing form and throwing away a 33 point lead to lose their Elimination Final against North Melbourne.

  • Port Adelaide finished 5th on the ladder but saved their best form for the finals, thrashing Richmond at home before claiming an interstate semi-final victory against Fremantle. They came home with a wet sail against eventual premiers, Hawthorn, in the Preliminary Final, but fell short by 3 points despite 7 more scoring shots.

Click here to go to best win #36.

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