31 

The Bombers had 31 more handballs than the Blues. Coach John Worsfold said the side was looking for the ‘perfect little handball’ too often in the wet conditions.

23

That was the differential in the inside 50 count and the Bombers were on the wrong end of the ledger. The greater attacking pressure led to the Blues having ten more scoring shots in a match decided by 15 points.

46

Matthew Leuenberger was straight back into the thick of it in his first game for the season. The Bombers ruckman recorded 46 hit-outs, 13 possessions and six tackles.

2 

For only the second time in his last 11 matches, Zach Merrett registered less than 30 possessions. He didn’t miss by much though. He picked up 29 disposals.

8

Eight Essendon players recorded six or more tackles. Jobe Watson led the way with 10, while Dyson Heppell (8) and Brendon Goddard (8) also applied plenty of pressure.

49 

Essendon recorded 49 rebounds from the defensive 50, with Michael Hurley responsible for ten of them. The Bombers are number one for rebounds across the competition.