News

Essendon fight to the end against Richmond

Saturday, 19 July 2008
Craig Rowston for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon assistant coach, Ashley Prescott, says disappointment is the over-riding emotion following today’s four point loss to Richmond.

“It was very disappointing not to get the win,” he said.

“In a sense you are proud that we were able to stick in the game and put ourselves in a winning position but we need to learn to take the opportunities when they are presented and make the most of them.

“We won the stoppage comprehensively in the first half and got the ball inside 50 but couldn’t take the marks and convert them to shots on goal.

“Richmond rebounded and got the ball into their forwards.”

Prescott refused to blame the first quarter injury to Welsh and second quarter injury to Monfries for the loss but said it did cause problems.

“When you lose player early it leaves you short and affects your rotations,” he said.

“There is no doubt we had to throw a lot of players into different positions and be creative with our rotations which gave some players some great challenges but spread the load to 19 men.

“I thought Lonergan was again extremely courageous and desperate and McPhee’s second half was good. Watson got his hands on the ball and won a lot of clearances. Stanton was solid for each quarter and Ryder tried very hard on a variety of opponents. Also I liked Mal’s game after being out for four weeks.”

Essendon had the first serious chance of the game to score but a handball from Jetta slipped through Lucas’ grasp for a point.

After a few false starts Richmond brought up their first goal through Johnson. Their second followed quickly after a strong mark to Deledio 45m out.

The Bombers hit back after Atkinson speared a pass to Lloyd who converted from a tight angle but the Tigers responded with a Morton goal.

A hard running Stanton spotted Hille in the goal square for the Bombers’ second.

For the second time in the game Jetta ran into the clear within 25m of goal and again handballed into trouble. The ball then went back the other way and Simmonds got his first.

When a dangerous Morton goaled again, and Welsh left the field after a knock to the head, the warning bells were ringing.

Watson had five clearances for the quarter and Atkinson kicked a late goal to reduce the margin to 12 points.

The second quarter started poorly for Essendon with Brown marking and spotting Bowden who converted.

Jetta snapped a nice goal under pressure before Tambling responded with his first.

Morton’s third took the margin out to 23-points.

Monfries went down with an ankle injury while Deledio went up for a big mark and then goal.

Lucas took a strong mark in the goal square to get his first but the Tigers again hit back quickly and Deledio kicked his third.

A Lucas handball to a busy Stanton brought up the Bombers next. When Stanton received a nice pass from Lloyd and kicked his second the margin was back to just 17-points.

Morton’s fourth cut short celebrations and Essendon went into the main break 24-points down.

The third quarter started with some Jetta magic - the small forward dribbling one through under pressure.

When Lonergan marked inside 50m, dodged two players and ran in to goal the margin was back to just 12-points.

The game then came alive when Reimers took the ball on the run at the 50m mark and slotted it through for his first.

Lucas marked 45m out and goaled before Slattery roved the pack near the goal square a minute later and put the Bombers five points up, their biggest lead for the game.

Then one of the highlights of the season took place when Lucas kicked the ball out of mid-air, 25m out on an angle for his second major and possibly the goal of the year – the Bombers up two goals.

A free kick to Hughes resulted in a Tiger goal and a great quarter for Essendon closed with the Bombers up by four points. Reimers, Stanton and Lovett-Murray busy for Essendon.

Bombers fans had their heart in their mouths when Laycock missed from a tight angle 10m out but he made amends minutes later when he centered the ball and Lloyd marked and goaled. Bombers up by 11-points.

Tiger players were left to run loose into their forward 50 and eventually Brown got the balled and goaled. He roved the pack one minute later to get another and Richmond had the lead by a point.

Laycock marked and goaled from 50m out to wrestle back the lead.

A poor turn-over by the Bombers as they were running toward goal saw the ball rebound quickly and end up with Simmonds who kicked his second. Richmond again in front.

Brown delivered a heavy blow when he kicked his third for the quarter to put the Tigers up nine-points.

Essendon had their chances - and had a number of good shots on goal - but squandered them and despite a thrilling last five minutes eventually went down by four points.

View the full scores and match report details

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injuries have come to haunt us again, bring on 2009!

- Scott Polden (posted 19/07/2008 6:05:36 PM)

Although Laycock and Stanton could have won us the game, bad umpiring and mistakes right from the beginning is what cost us. Losing by less than a goal shows a great effort from the boys considering the circumstances. I hope Neagle, Monfries and Welsh get better, and our injury list gets smaller. Come on Bombers, get back to playing like last week and flog Collingwood!

- Sophie Oddo (posted 19/07/2008 6:09:33 PM)

14 out when the team was selected. 15 out when it started. Three more out before the end of the game - no Fletcher, no McVeigh, no Welsh, no Lovett, no Gus yet Bowden still had to do a Trevor Chappell at the end to save the game for the Tigers. Well, we didn't get the 4 points, but that was a truly heroic performance. One different bounce of the ball or one less present from the umps and the result would have been different. Great stuff Essendon. One thing we can have no doubt of. This team has truly got what it takes.

- Rod Hagen (posted 19/07/2008 6:11:59 PM)

we had our chances but just didnt take them.I just hope we dont give up on the season hang in there boys

- steve finch (posted 19/07/2008 6:13:15 PM)

Those last 6 shots at goal really disappointed me we had the game in our hands but couldn't finish it off with 6 chances.

- OBEIDA MELHEM (posted 19/07/2008 6:25:49 PM)

Ok so we didn't get the four points but what a fantastic courageous effort! The guys are really showing promise and when you think of the players out injured and those injured during the game, this club has really turned the corner in the last 6 weeks. WATCH OUT MAGPIES!!

- Dennis Gilgen (posted 19/07/2008 6:26:14 PM)

hard luck bombers! losing by less than a kick but we had our chance. good luck next week, i just hope that monfries and welsh are ok for the collingwood game

- Melissa Hill (posted 19/07/2008 6:29:49 PM)

Gusty effort boys. Never gave up. Should have made the most of our chances in the first half which came to bite us in the end. Nevertheless, there is no questioning the boys endeavour. Stick it to the Pies next week boys! CARN THE DONS!!!

- Douglas Tan (posted 19/07/2008 6:56:21 PM)

Unlucky boys good effort. Disappointing to go down and finals chances to be dashed for another year. But a brave effort with only 19 men for most of the second half. Jason Laycock continues to disappoint me with his efforts and today he certainly missed his chance to step up to the plate in the dying minutes.

- Matthew Biddle (posted 19/07/2008 6:57:10 PM)

what a great effort by the team but we need goal kicking pratice to many easy goals missed. GO BOMBERS

- Alwyn Bishop (posted 19/07/2008 7:14:53 PM)

Essendon should of won! A great game from Dyson,Atkison,Remiers, Longeran E.T.C. Very good to see the younger players stepping up! Well done boys

- Brendan Hurn (posted 19/07/2008 7:37:06 PM)

this loss belongs to you andrew lovett, your actions left your team mates a runner short so please wake up to yourself. a top effort from the rest of the boys, we could have won this one

- Bryan Bailey (posted 19/07/2008 8:06:17 PM)

so un lucky

- John Kneijber (posted 19/07/2008 9:44:37 PM)

Good effort boys. Bad luck. Injuries hurt ut at least you had a crack til the end. I hope Lovett is hurting because we needed him today! Go Hard Boys!

- Casey Scholten (posted 19/07/2008 9:52:56 PM)

Sorry Bryan but let's not blame Andrew or any other individual. 2/7 in the last quarter tells a lot and the injuries during the game didn't help. Let's congratulate the boy's for their fantastic effort. John Thompson

- John Thompson (posted 19/07/2008 10:41:00 PM)

Too many mistakes, missed easy shots by Lloyd Lucas, Jetta, Stanton and Laycock stupid. Courageous effort but the aforementioned let them down. How long does Laycock going to get to show he can do it? Lovett on sidelines is funny. As Malthouse said in his column, footy clubs are about winning games, let's put best possible team on park. We have had enough injuries helping the opposition, why make it easier for them? Fine Andy $5k, but why penalise the team, supporters, members, for him messing up.

- Alok O'Brien (posted 19/07/2008 11:13:48 PM)

Sure! Great tactic Brian Royal icing the game. And as sure as eggs karma will prevail. Be ready Royal. John Thompson, Brisbane

- John Thompson (posted 19/07/2008 11:17:15 PM)

Poor start, great comeback to get back in the game. Injuries affected the running power & late game poise but Laycock needs to take his footy more seriously. He should follow the examples of less experienced Lonergan, Reimers & co.

- Gary Nunn (posted 20/07/2008 12:24:47 AM)

stunning effort boys considering the circumstances. dont get disheartened. injuries have stuffed us up all season regardless of what anyone says. Welshy, Gus and Desert Neagle get better for next weeks clash with the Bogan Squad. we'll need ya. cant wait till the likes of dempsey, houli, hocking and pears return. we need that speed. well done atkinson. btw does any1 know what happened to fletch?!

- Niko Mei (posted 20/07/2008 12:46:56 AM)

Very brave effort Boys,undermanned but still so courageous..... Andrew Lovett,i do so hope you make a new commitment to the team leader's group who suspended you,and BEG them for another chance,so you can be available against Collingwood. We need you so badly now,with even more injuries and i just KNOW you will respond in the right manner! Good Luck,and GO DONS!!

- Noel Shields (posted 20/07/2008 12:50:17 AM)

Hey guys the umpires didn't lose the game for us as we got a few doubtful frees also, we just lost because we ran out of fit players, but the effort was fantastic, every player lifted when needed we just ran out of legs, don't pick one players mistake as if you do that every shot for goal that missed cost us the game

- Mark McLachlan (posted 20/07/2008 10:30:29 AM)

Rod Hagen you are so right. Could not have put it any better myself. Great effort Bombers. You did try your guts out and I left that game sad that we lost but with my head held high and proud of the teams efforts. Lots to look forward to moving forward.

- Honey De Menezes (posted 20/07/2008 10:36:46 AM)

Yeah, I know its frustrating not getting the points, but look at the bigger picture. We showed a fantastic resolve to lead by 11 points into the 3rd, after being 29 down. Fighting it out to the end, missing key players, taking chances, the team we had to work with, had a red hot dip. Well done Boys! Some lessons in life/footy are learnt from dissappointments and bad choices. However from this, the true Bomber Spirit is alive and well for our promising future! Go for it!

- Bob Fordham (posted 20/07/2008 11:22:49 AM)

gutsy team effort guys.Well done to the young boys.Go hard next week, belt those Pies.

- trish donohoe (posted 20/07/2008 12:08:31 PM)

Jetta needs to kick those goals. he is good enough but has lost confidence. His training in Perth at set shots was very poor leading to a high assist count in the Freo game but he needs to keep pulling the trigger when running into the open goal. A win that got away.

- Benjamin Duff (posted 20/07/2008 1:04:22 PM)

It's not Laycock and Stanton's fault that they missed when they had the chance to win the game. Throughout the game we missed loads of easy opportunities to goal like when Jetta fell over. Although Laycock has had a long time to prove himself which he still hasn't done. He has had chances some he has done well but mostly not.

- Thomas Jackson (posted 20/07/2008 2:30:49 PM)

Get well soon Anugs :( I'll Miss You CARN THE DONS Much love xo Em

- Emily Landolfo (posted 20/07/2008 3:20:56 PM)

I'm loving these comeback from behind games - they get my heart pumping everytime. What a fantastic effort - to lose by only 4pts with 19 fit players - that goes to show that we have a great team of boys and a gutsy coach who is willing to try his hand with different players doing different roles. I dont want to dwell on the bad parts anymore, when we have so many positives to look forward to - and its a shame about that injury list, but if a team dessimated with injury can lose by only 4 pts, imagine what this full strength team could do!!! Viva 2009 - Knights will get us a flag in 4 years time.

- Daniel Grbac (posted 21/07/2008 8:29:47 AM)

We all have to just face the fact we had alot of extra pressure due to injuries. Good on you DONS I was proud of the effort. Why is everyone talking about a flag in 3 or 4 years. We can do it next year or 2 years at worst I truly believe. we are on on the verge of mind blowing footy, just need a bit of stability. GO BOMBERS

- Jeremy Little (posted 21/07/2008 10:14:17 AM)

I'm not up for all these excuses. We played one good quarter for the game and thats why we lost it. We missed easy shots, we didnt hit targets, we let them have too much run. We showed what we could do in the 3rd quarter and it was disappointing that we couldnt play at that level for the whole game. Sure, injuries didnt help, but i think the boys would be pretty disappointed with that effort after what they have shown us over the last month.

- Jane McMenaman (posted 21/07/2008 1:06:32 PM)

A simple rule change that would make it necessary for another player to have contact with the ball would have eliminated the practice employed by Richmond. However, lets celebrate the return to form and the great effort the boys put up.

- James Smith (posted 21/07/2008 6:20:06 PM)

Fantastic effort, boys. Injuries and poor umpiring cost us the game. Great courage and spirit shown by the 19 fit players. Lets give Collingwood hell next week.

- Jon Styles (posted 21/07/2008 7:54:18 PM)

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