Essendon will head into finals with three consecutive wins to their name after beating Collingwood 102-64 at the MCG on Sunday.
Having already sewn up eighth position before the clash kicked off with earlier results going their way, the Dons played with freedom and it showed in their electric ball movement.
The Bombers led from start to finish, and the result will no doubt consolidate their confidence heading into next week’s elimination final.
While it was a fairly even team performance across the ground, Essendon would have been thrilled with the way they used the football going at 81 per cent by hand and foot.
Ben Rutten’s side found gaps in Collingwood’s defensive set-up with ease and used short, sharp kicks to go from end to end and give themselves enough opportunities to score.
For Collingwood, they’ll be glad to see the back of this season having ended the year with a 6-16 win-loss record.
Magpies rookie Oliver Henry was subbed out of the game with a shoulder injury, while the Bombers look to have escaped with a clean bill of health.
Here’s everything you need to know!
Smith finds form at the right time
This was the performance Devon Smith has been searching for.
The 2018 Crichton Medal winner has been nowhere near his best in 2021, only passing 20 disposals on one occasion before today.
In what may be the final game at the MCG for the 2021 season, he collected 23 touches, kicked two goals and had 10 score involvements in a near best afield performance.
While his stat-sheet was impressive enough, it was the way he moved that will please Bomber fans both.
Special package for Jake Stringer 📦
— AFL (@AFL) August 22, 2021
Courtesy of Devon Smith 🙌#AFLDonsPies pic.twitter.com/kRVsk0qLoF
The 28-year-old seemed to have his zip back and continuously popped up in the right place at the right time as a link-man.
With finals just around the corner, it may well just be the perfect time to find some form.
He’ll be hoping to continue his run next week against the Dogs.
Harvey era comes to a close
This game will most likely be Robert Harvey’s last as Collingwood’s coach.
Despite the side showing signs of improvement throughout his nine-game stint, their overall win-loss record of 2-7 in that time tells the overall story.
Honourable losses to Fremantle, St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn ultimately cost Harvey his chance as the team struggled to put together four quarters more often than not.
While the club likely to go in a different direction in 2022, Harvey should have plenty of opportunity with rival clubs who’ll be hoping to land him as a senior assistant.
He’ll depart the club with ten seasons of commendable service to his name.
What’s next?
Essendon face the Western Bulldogs in a highly-anticipated elimination final while Collingwood re-set for 2022.
FULL SCORE
Essendon: 5.4, 11.2, 13.5, 16.6. (102)
Collingwood: 4.2, 5.4, 7.8, 9.10. (64)
GOALS
Essendon: Waterman 4, Wright 4, Smith 2, Stringer 2, Redman 2, Perkins, Snelling
Collingwood: Elliott 4, Daicos, Cameron, De Goey, Thomas, Hoskin-Elliott
BEST
Essendon: Devon Smith, Zach Merrett, Peter Wright, Dyson Heppell, Alec Waterman
Collingwood : Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott, Taylor Adams, Josh Daicos
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