Essendon has won praise for their “crisp” and “pure” ball movement which made early flag favourites Melbourne “look second rate”, according to Fox Footy’s David King.
The Bombers outgunned Melbourne from the outset as coach Brad Scott’s two-ruck tactic paid off handsomely in the first half with five goals between Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips.
But King says it was Essendon’s handball game that was the most pleasing aspect of the 27-point win over the Dees.
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“It was the complete game really,” he said on First Crack.
“It looked crisp, it looked organised, it was the purest of football out of the backline.
“They kicked seven goals out of their back half and they made Melbourne look second rate.
“Their handball game and their run and gun was in sync.
“They just sifted their way through them.”
Draper stars as Essendon excel! | 01:15
Describing the run and carry game as “calculated”, King said it was clear there was “method to the madness”.
Fellow First Crack panellist Leigh Montagna said the Bombers’ game style was clearly improved under new coach Brad Scott.
“It’s forward handball as opposed to Essendon of the past where they’d go backwards,” he said.
Montagna was full of praise for the Essendon side currently sitting in second place on the AFL table – in their equal best start to a season in a decade at 4-1.
“I think that it finally looks like a club that stands for something with the way they are now playing,” he said.
Melbourne Demons Press Conference | 07:29
“It’s been building for recent weeks … to see them do it against a strong opposition, they now value defence.
“They are now playing a brand of football that everyone’d been waiting to see.
“Time in forward half, they are top four (in rankings). Tackle differential they are second, points against they are third.
“They are now relying on their system, and they are playing with effort, they are bringing pressure. The hunt was there on the weekend.”
Montagna said the performances by the Bombers were “starting to match their talent” in 2023.
Essendon Bombers Press Conference | 08:28
“They’ve got 16 top 20 draft picks on that list already – they are still bottom four for age demographic,” he said.
“Now they stand for something as a football club.
“How far can they go this year, we’re going to find out.
“I think they’ve got the season off to a strong note.”
Not since their infamous 2013 season – where the club was ruled ineligible to play finals as part of the supplementary saga penalty – has Essendon started a season 5-1 in the past decade.
They face another tough test in Round 6 with the annual Anzac Day blockbuster against rivals Collingwood.
