Marks inside 50

The Bombers took 17 marks inside the forward 50 compared to the Giants nine. The Dons have been averaging 12.4 marks inside 50 this season, which is eighth overall. Adelaide leads the way with 15.5 per week.

Cale Hooker took four marks inside 50 and finished with two goals against the Giants, while Josh Green – who is proving a strong one-on-one marking option – took three marks inside 50 and kicked three goals.

Tom Bellchambers

The ruck battle entered a new phase this week when the Bombers chose Bellchambers over a fit again Matthew Leuenberger. The former Lion did his chances of a recall no harm with an impressive 23-disposal effort in the VFL.

That put the heat back on Bellchambers to deliver against one of the best big men in the game, Giants ruckman Shane Mumford. And Bellchambers rose to the challenge, producing his best performance of the season.

The 27-year-old won 40 hit outs (compared to Mumford’s 34) while also picking up 15 disposals, taking five marks, laying three tackles and kicking two goals. His strong strength around the stoppages was evident as he was able to hold his own against Mumford’s bulk.

It’s the first time Bellchambers has collected 15 or more disposals and kicked two or more goals in a game since round 15, 2013. That night he kicked five goals against Port Adelaide, the Dons next opponent.

Notching the ton

Essendon’s final score of 15.11.101 marked the sixth time in 11 games the side has topped the 100 mark. You have to go back to 2014 to find a Bombers attack that has been as high scoring. That year the Dons passed 100 six times in 23 games and qualified for the finals.

In 2013, when the side also won enough games to qualify for the finals, the Bombers passed 100 nine times. With 11 games remaining this season the Dons are on track to surpass that.

Martin Gleeson

The defender returned to the side after some impressive VFL form. In his last match at state level the 191cm Gleeson was opposed to Richmond’s 198cm Mabior Chol. Gleeson’s aerial strength was noticeable in that performance and it was again on show against the Giants.

He finished with 23 possessions and seven marks, including two contested.

With Matt Dea, James Kelly, Mitch Brown and Patrick Ambrose out of the side at the moment, competition for spots in defence is likely to heat up over the next few weeks.

Brendon Goddard

Goddard became just the 80^th player in VFL/AFL history and just the second number one draft pick to reach the 300 game milestone.

The 32 year old played 205 games with St Kilda before joining the Bombers ahead of the 2013 season.

In his 94 games for the Bombers, Goddard has averaged 26 disposals and kicked 52 goals.

Along the way he's captained the Club and won a Crichton Medal. 

His contribution to the Bombers has been immense and it was fitting that he was chaired from the ground after the game.

The run home

After four games in four weeks against top four opponents (the Dons won two and lost two in that period), the Bombers now face just one side currently in the top eight (Port Adelaide) over the next six games.

With the finals race wide open, if the Bombers can win four of their next six to get the ledger back to 9-8 with five games to play they will be able to control their own destiny.