Essendon has pulled off their second consecutive upset win, this time knocking off Brisbane at the Gabba 100–90 on Sunday afternoon.
Having stunned Sydney at the MCG last weekend, the Bombers continued their strong form to pick up perhaps their most unlikely win of the campaign.
The Bombers were in the control for the majority of the clash and would’ve been disappointed to not take a lead into quarter-time after holding sway across the opening thirty minutes.
With the scores all square after the first break, the Bombers began to open up their lead with a five-goal to two second-term which helped bridge a gap that they’d never concede.
While the Lions threatened across multiple occasions in the third and fourth terms, they never got close enough to truly challenge the Bombers who were able to show off their offensive wares with fast, free-flowing football.
One aspect of the game that allowed Essendon to play their brand of football was Brisbane’s lack of intensity and pressure as their hunting style of defence was nowhere to be seen.
A key factor behind this may have been the side’s significant outs with the likes of Harris Andrews, Daniel McStay and Keidean Coleman missing due to health and safety protocols while Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko and Jarrod Berry were out with injury.
Despite that hindering the side, coach Chris Fagan will be disappointed with his team’s effort considering that they had most of their star players fit and available.
For Essendon, Peter Wright (five goals, eight marks) and Kyle Langford (four goals, seven marks) were able to make a mark in Andrews’ absence as they offered the firepower needed to kick a winning score.
AFL Nation’s Liam Pickering felt Wright’s performance proved the difference in such a tight contest.
“That’s the difference in the game right there,” Pickering said.
“As we sit here right now, Essendon have got something they can kick it long and high toward.
“The Lions are having to kick goals on the run and snaps from the boundary.
“Peter Wright has been a very good player once again today.”
On-ball, Zach Merrett (31 disposals), Dylan Shiel (one goal, 25 disposals) and Jye Caldwell (one goal, 26 disposals) – who also played on the dangerous Lachie Neale - stood up in Darcy Parish’s absence to help the Dons to wins in the disposal (381-301), clearance (37-34) and inside 50 (56-49) counts.
For the Lions, Hugh McCluggage (29 disposals) and Brandon Starcevich (26 disposals) can hold their heads up high in defeat.
Brisbane looks to have escaped the game with a clean bill of health while last week’s rising star Massimo D’Ambrosio succumbed to a corked thigh.
Considering he played on for much of the third quarter after suffering the injury, the Bombers will be hoping he won’t miss any weeks.
Essendon will look to continue their strong form against finals-hopeful Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium, while Brisbane head to Canberra to face GWS on Saturday afternoon.
FULL SCORE
Brisbane: 2.3, 4.8, 9.9, 13.12. (90)
Essendon: 2.3, 7.6, 11.9, 15.10 (100)
GOALS
Brisbane: McCarthy 3, McInerney 2, Robinson 2, Daniher, Hipwood, Cameron, Fort, Michael, Rayner
Essendon: Wright 5, Langford 4, Hobbs, Caldwell, Draper, Guelfi, Heppell, Shiel
BEST
Brisbane: Hugh McCluggage, Brandon Starcevich, Oscar McInerney, Lincoln McCarthy
Essendon: Peter Wright, Jye Caldwell, Kyle Langford, Zach Merrett, Jordan Ridley, Dylan Shiel
INJURIES
Brisbane: n/a
Essendon: Massimo D’Ambrosio (corked thigh)