2024 R2.
Our best chance if not our only chance of winning this game was to get off to a flying start in the first quarter, and Essendon achieved this, skipping out early to a four goal to one lead. Like last week we looked switched on, while the Swans looked like they had yet to fully click into gear. That happened about halfway through the quarter when a telling trend emerged, the Swans able to open up the ground with ease, and score goals from better positions.
The second quarter was more of the same, it appeared as though Essendon were working harder to kick goals, but they were hanging in and the contest was an even one, quite an arm wrestle. Momentum was lost when Draper gave away a 50m penalty with a blatant late bump and Sydney were gifted an easy goal, it appeared to be a turning point in the game.
The second half Sydney flexed their collective muscle and showed why they are one of the flag favourites. How long could Essendon stick with them? The inevitable avalanche never came. Despite having superior skills, in particular by foot, Essendon still put up stern resistance. Much has been made of our injuries in the back half, but Sydney were also missing some key components, notably in their midfield, the difference being they were able to cover their deficiencies better.
The last quarter the Swans were well and truly on top. In the past few seasons this would have been the que for Essendon to roll over to the tune of 10 goal loss or so. Enter captain Merrett with 2 quick goals to cut the margin back to 18 points with a few minutes to go. It was not meant to be of course, the Swans are much more advanced in their development than we are, having played a GF only 18 months ago. They are a professional, stable and well-run team at the height of their powers, we are very much at the beginning of our evolution.
What to make of the overall performance? While the Swans were able to waltz down the ground in great numbers to telling effect, Essendon somehow managed to stay with them and contest the result for about 80% of the game. Certainly Essendon gave a better account of themselves than either of the Swans first two opponents, and most Blitz pundits would have predicted. We are finding ways to kick decent scores with a forward line that is still in flux and finding their way. The problem is at the other end of the ground, where we canât stop goals being kicked against an at times makeshift defence. A far better idea of how we are shaping up this season will be found out this week against the Saints, who are also looking like contenders. I expect another competitive hit out this week. Forget about the practice match result from a few weeks ago, it is irrelevant.
Hey Cloke remember the AwfL want the players to altercate with 1 anotherâŚhow dare you quash a melee.
clokey hears ya, clokey doesnât care.
Heâs a big boi is Clokey.
Perkins said they cant wait to play Sydney again after Papleys comments.
This was music to my ears.
Great 
have another beating.
whered he say this ?
@ revs
AFL tonight on Fox Footy.
Also defended 2MP
Shhhh its Nino taking a positive away from the game.
NARRATIVEâS TURNING BOYS AND GIRLS STRAP IN
Wasnât it the Sydney runners that were deliberately and repeatedly blocking the corridor during play a few years ago, and almost got runners taken out of the game completely?
The mindset of our players is changing
In 2017 Maxwell at GWS got told off for blocking play against the bloos, leading to the AFL trialling runner changes in the JLT for 2018 - which they didnât implement. Sydney then got a formal warning later that year for doing the same thing, having their runner stay in the centre square for the final 2 minutes in a 6 point win against norf. The runner changes then came in with the 2019 season
Robbo doesnât think Essendon have the players to continue with the âEssendon Edgeâ.
probably a list management discussion, but robbos bringing up weâre asking mild mannered people to commit war crimes, my goodness
âBut Gerard, urrghh umm, ahh, itâs ahhh, you know, errrmm, ahh, they just canât keep doing it Gerard!â
Itâll be like the time we booooooooed Ryder while he kicked Port to a big win against us.
i really enjoy how whatley puts himself as a paragon of sports journalism and ignored 2 swans players hitting essendon players when the ball wasnât in play in the head.