Essendon overcame a bout of kicking woes to clinch an ugly win over the GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium on Easter Sunday, booting double the number of behinds to goals.
The Bombers finished with 11 goals and 22 behinds and won the hard way as they squandered the opportunity for early dominance on the scoreboard.
Jake Stringer celebrates kicking a goal against the Giants.Credit: AFL Photos
At half-time, the Bombers had kicked 3.13, including 1.5 from set shots and 18 shots at goal altogether. The last of those, a wayward kick from Jye Menzie, left coach Brad Scott in a visual state of disbelief and frustration in the coach’s box.
GWS, however, kicked four goals straight to start the game and continued to capitalise as they went forward. Harry Himmelberg finished with three majors, while Josh Kelly, Callan Ward and Toby Greene all booted two goals apiece as the Giants took advantage of some disconnect in the Bombers back line.
The visitors had a nine-point lead at half-time but fell away as back-to-back goals from backman Mason Redman and ruck Sam Draper to end the third quarter put the home side in front. Coach Adam Kingsley gave his side a well-earned spray in the last change, but the Bombers were already away.
The pinnacle of the tide turning was a 55-metre torpedo from Jake Stringer in the fourth quarter. The star forward booted four goals, but also finished with six behinds, the highest minor score count in his career.
Toby Greene comes in for plenty of attention.Credit: AFL Photos
For the Giants, midfielder Tom Green was prolific in the engine room and finished on top of the disposal count with 34, along with Nick Haynes, who had 26, including 10 intercept possessions.
GWS also displayed sustained energy, evident in Jack Buckley’s relentless pressure with six spoils for the match – he also had five score involvements.
Yet despite getting their hands on the ball, GWS struggled to move it out of their defence and were troubled by turning the ball over.
Essendon late inclusion Andrew Phillips – who replaced former skipper Dyson Heppell as he was taken out of the starting 22 and named as the substitute – alternated with Draper in the ruck and provided the home side with needed height. He had six contested marks and three score involvements.
Essendon coach Brad Scott during the match.Credit: AFL Photos
Heppell, however, wasn’t left out of the game for long after being activated in the second term when forward Sam Weideman was taken off following a nasty head clash with Haynes. Weideman left the ground bleeding from the mouth and was taken straight down to the rooms and later returned to the bench.
Also on injury watch, Alwyn Davey jnr had his shoulder assessed on the boundary during the third quarter and returned with it strapped and some visual soreness.
Essendon face a hard task next week against premiership contenders Melbourne at Adelaide Oval for Gather Round, while GWS will be looking for their second win of the season against Hawthorn at Norwood Oval.
ESSENDON 2.8 3.13 8.19 11.22 (88)
GWS 4.0 6.5 9.7 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Essendon: Stringer 4, Martin 2, Redman, Langford, Perkins, Draper, Merrett.
GWS: Himmelberg 3, Greene 2, Ward 2, Kelly 2, Daniels, Coniglio.
BEST
Essendon: Redman, Merrett, Parish, Shiel, Setterfield, Stringer.
GWS: Green, Haynes, Kelly, Coniglio, Whitfield
UMPIRES
Hosking, Chamberlain, Rebeschini, McGinness
CROWD
28,815 at Marvel Stadium
VOTES:
Redman (Essendon) 8
Green (GWS) 8
Merrett (Essendon) 8
Parish (Essendon) 8
Haynes (GWS) 7
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