50 Best Essendon Wins since 2000 (countdown)

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Best Win Since 2000 No. 21

Round 1 2013 vs Adelaide

Adelaide 3.4.22 4.9.33 8.14.62 11.16.82
Essendon 1.3.9 7.5.47 13.7.85 18.9.117

Context

  • Essendon had endured 2 months of being under the media microscope thanks to the recent supplements scandal. The Bombers had ended 2012 horribly after a fast start, so it was less certain than ever which Essendon would turn up. Brendan Goddard had joined as a free agent from St Kilda, providing a boost to Essendon’s best 22.

  • Adelaide were the surprise packet of 2012, making a Preliminary FInal which they lost by only 5 points to Hawthorn at the MCG.

Why it’s on the list / key moments

  • Essendon put their interstate demons aside, playing a fantastic final 3 quarters to overrun the heavily favoured Crows.

  • Stewart Crameri kicked a clever snap early in the 2nd quarter from 15m out to give the Bombers a lift, cutting the Crows’s early lead to 7 points.

  • Michael Hibberd kicked a brilliant goal on the run from 45m out after taking 2 bounces.

  • Early in the 4th quarter, Heath Hocking wrapped up a young Patrick Dangerfield in Essendon’s left-forward pocket, earning himself a free kick and converting for a goal.

  • Ben Howlett played his best game to date, kicking 4.1 while earning 25 disposals and 6 tackles. He was awarded the 3 Brownlow votes.

  • Jobe Watson was fantastic for the Dons with 34 disposals, 7 clearances and a joyous goal with 30 seconds on the clock. The Bomber captain had taken a bounce inside 50 before finishing with a low drop punt.

  • Click here for the Essendon goals/highlights.

Extra notes

  • Brendan Goddard and Nick Kommer’s debuts for Essendon. Both players kicked their first goals for the club.

  • Essendon won the tackle count 73-47.

What happened next?

  • Essendon looked like a serious team to start the season, including an all-time thrashing of Melbourne in Round 2. After Round 6, the Bombers were 6-0 with 171.4%. Eventually the saga took its toll and the Bombers’ form fell off a cliff late in the season before the AFL finally confirmed their decision to ban the club from the finals.

  • Adelaide failed to follow up their 2012 season as they finished 11th.

Click here to go to best win #20.

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