Clearances

Essendon is ranked 14th for clearances and 18th in stoppages this season, but the Dons dominated those two areas of the game against the Kangaroos.

The Bombers won the clearances 50-27, the stoppages 28-15 and the scores from stoppages 49-27. Tom Bellchambers gave the side the advantage in the ruck providing the bulk of the Dons 23 hit outs to advantage (North had 14) and the midfielders were good enough to cash in with Zach Merrett (nine clearances), Jobe Watson (seven), Dyson Heppell (seven), Darcy Parish (six) and David Myers (five) active around the contest.

Big man stands up 

They say the key position players don’t get any smaller late in the game and so it proved with Cale Hooker dominating the final 30 minutes against the Kangaroos.

The North Melbourne defence used their extra number to great effect in the first three quarters with Hooker often competing against two opponents. But in the last quarter he was able to get the isolation he and the team desired.

Hooker kicked four of his five goals in the last term as the Bombers turned a seven point three quarter time lead into a 27 point winning margin.

The All Australian has now booted 32 goals this season (18th in the competition).

That return would have been enough to win the Club’s goal kicking award in three of the last five seasons (even though there is still five games to go).  But such is the Bombers depth in 2017, Hooker is ranked third overall at the Club. Joe Daniher (47 goals, number two in the AFL) and Orazio Fantasia (36 goals, 12th in the AFL) lead the way for the Dons.

The grind

The synergy and crisp ball movement that was a feature in the wins over Collingwood and St Kilda were less common against the Kangaroos, but the final outcome remained the same. In a season of such congestion on the ladder, any win is significant.

The Bombers have played games this season where nothing seemed to click, but against North Melbourne the team worked through their issues and still managed to do enough for a 27 point win.

Along the way the Dons kicked 20 goals for the first time this season and registered their highest score of the year.

Watson’s impressive return

John Worsfold says Jobe Watson warmed to the idea of a rest last week and the Essendon champion showed the benefits of his late-season recharge against the Kangaroos. He had 27 possessions, seven clearances, four inside 50s and four tackles – including a bone crunching hit on North Melbourne’s Andrew Swallow. As the sound of that impact echoed around the stadium, Dyson Heppell snapped a goal that gave the Bombers a handy 17-point lead in the third quarter.

The Captain

Such is his consistency, Dyson Heppell - despite his continued brilliance - can sneak under the radar, but his numbers against the Kangaroos highlighted his class. He picked up 26 possessions, had seven clearances, five tackles, eight inside 50s and kicked two goals in an all-round display from the Bombers skipper.

Another bumper crowd

From eight home games this season, the Bombers have played in front of more than 40,000 people on six occasions, including the match against the Kangaroos which was played in front of 40,359 fans.

The Bombers have an average home game attendance of 52,402, which is second only to Richmond in the competition.

The fans were in full voice throughout the match against the Kangaroos particularly when a run of free kicks went against the Bombers in the opening half.

Coleman Medal race

Only three Essendon players have won the Coleman Medal (Ron Evans, Ted Fordham and Matthew Lloyd) since John Coleman himself ruled the goal square in the middle of last century. But with five games to play, Joe Daniher is in striking distance. He didn’t star against the Kangaroos, but his two goals took him to 47 for the season and leaves him in second place (three behind Lance Franklin) in the Coleman Medal race.

The power of football

During the week, Jobe Watson spoke about how small gestures from players can have a significant effect on people in the community. One such instance occurred when the team ran onto the field against the Kangaroos. A child from cancer charity Challenge, accompanied each Essendon player onto the ground, undoubtedly creating a great memory for everyone involved, including the players.