News

Bombers stand tall in heat of battle

Sunday, 26 April 2009
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Forty-four players took the field for yesterday’s Anzac Day clash and only two of them spent every exhilarating minute on the ground. They were the two players most affected by David Hille’s injury and ultimately they were the two best players on the ground – Paddy Ryder and Adam McPhee.

The duo was however ably supported by the midfield grunt of Jobe Watson and the tireless running of Brent Stanton. The leg speed of Jason Winderlich, Ricky Dyson and Andrew Lovett was also very important, particularly late in the game.

And what can you say about Dustin Fletcher that has not been said – he plays his 300^th game for Essendon next week and he just keeps producing, yesterday taking Anthony Rocca to the cleaners. Who is to say he does not have another season in him – right now he doesn’t look like slowing down.

Ryder’s feats were extraordinary. Named to start down back he soon found himself in the ruck and he stayed there for the day, comprehensively beating Josh Fraser and Leigh Brown. Ryder’s numbers were remarkable for a big man – 16 disposals, 11 contested possessions, four inside 50s, five clearances and 13 tackles. They are numbers that would make the most seasoned midfielder walk of the ground happy with his lot.

McPhee’s return was equally stunning given he was coming off a game against the Kangaroos that he said himself, was something he wasn’t proud of and it is fair to say many fans agreed with him. But McPhee is a quality player – a best and fairest player at Essendon – and in front of just under 85,000 people he towelled up Travis Cloke and showed what an important player he is for Essendon.

McPhee also won a critical loose ball in the final minute of the game, his quick kick finding Andrew Lovett. It was a critical play in the final analysis, getting the ball into Essendon’s forward 50m and ultimately giving his side a chance to win the game.

Watson and Stanton were excellent contributors in the midfield, collecting 61 possessions between them. Watson’s clearance work was important – he racked up a team high seven while Stanton’s unquestioned motor was still purring late in the game. He breaks opponents with his running and he did it again yesterday.

Back to back wins would be a nice way to celebrate Dustin Fletcher’s 300^th at the Gabba next weekend.

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I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! ryder you star you should be our next captain!! two milestones!! lloyd has to get his 900th and fletcher's 300th game. go the bombers!!

- Jezza Chau (posted 26/04/2009 9:42:42 AM)

You bombers r legends GO BOMBERS YEAH!!!!!!!

- Tom Shatin (posted 26/04/2009 9:58:28 AM)

Everyone should buy this game, not just for the obvious, but to hear the commentators write Paddy off as soon as he is given the ruck job. Excellent job fellas, now it's important to give Fletch the 300th he deserves. How good would it feel to be Zaharakis this week? Live the dream!

- Kevin Jackson (posted 26/04/2009 10:11:47 AM)

This win was just like the Baby Bombers win against Carlton when they came from 23 pts down late in the last quarter. You are a quality side Dons. These types of win don't happen by accident. Your fans are rapt with the exciting brand of football that you are playing.

- Mark Mgurry (posted 26/04/2009 10:20:54 AM)

WOW! What a game! So impressed with the effort. Didn't the players answer the critics. After last weeks game I was reading all these comments by supporters that McPhee and Dyson should be dropped, and Ryder couldn't or shouldn't be in the ruck. I'm glad the boys showed how they could play on the big stage. Zaharakis you STAR!!!!

- Andrew Pritchard (posted 26/04/2009 10:32:02 AM)

yeah lets win for fletch lucas will come good i hope, yeah loved paddy comment in the paper, "we hate collingwood and i wanted to beat them bad"

- Jeddy Telescourt (posted 26/04/2009 10:34:59 AM)

good job boys!

- Jack Hadaway (posted 26/04/2009 10:39:25 AM)

Paddy, an extraordinary effort and exmplyfing the Anzac spirit of standing up and working for and with your mates. A well deserved team win and you're a most worthy recipient of the medal. You now stand with an honoured group.

- Graeme Waters (posted 26/04/2009 10:41:04 AM)

we have strung 2 wins together this year rounds 2 and 3

- glenn dodd (posted 26/04/2009 10:59:22 AM)

We won two in a row against Fremantle and Carlton so the last paragraph is wrong.

- Cameron Gliese (posted 26/04/2009 11:03:59 AM)

Just the most exciting win ever. Better than 1981 vs carlton. Dyson was outstanding at the death. The bombers were simply magnificent!!!

- David Vivian (posted 26/04/2009 11:18:32 AM)

BOMBER BOYS!- YOU PLAYED SO WELL COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER AND MORE MEMORABLE GAME TO WATCH - RYDER U R A GREAT RUCKAN AND ZAKKA WELL DONE ON UR LAST GOAL U ALL PULLED THORUGH WHEN WE REALLY NEEDED IT CONGRATS TO MCPHEE FOR 150 GAMS XXXX

- Emily Drenen (posted 26/04/2009 11:18:57 AM)

what a magnificant win by the boys. i think we can be a force this year and prove all those critics wrong. also well done to young paddy ryder you stood up tall all day and made us proud mate well done. and a very good game to lovett and dyson with there dashy pace that got the team sparking. well done boys

- Cohlby Giblett (posted 26/04/2009 11:21:39 AM)

I am still in awe at the beauty of our game of Australian football and the part our Bombers played in one of its greatest moments. Just a small point - didn't the boys string together wins against Freo and the Blues in Rounds 2 & 3?

- Philip Gissing (posted 26/04/2009 11:39:54 AM)

Great Stuff, Get Well soon Hilly. Watson next captain.

- Matthew Holloway (posted 26/04/2009 11:48:11 AM)

Well Done Guys Note to the writer: We have strung two wins together this season: Rd 2 and 3

- Justin Thyer (posted 26/04/2009 11:51:17 AM)

if lloyd plays... he does have an injury cloud over his little head now

- Matt Milburn (posted 26/04/2009 12:27:32 PM)

Fantastic win.. best game in years, if not ever. Congrats to Ryder for winning the meal.. deserved it. Congrats to the Bomber boys for never giving up and for supporting Ryder who had to take Hille's place. WELL DONE BOMBERS!!!

- Samantha Kisielis (posted 26/04/2009 12:45:39 PM)

well done boys you played with courage, passion, determination like the BOMBERS of old. keep up the good work. keep going. very happy at the game. Paddy you are my hero.keep up the good work.

- Laloua Simmons (posted 26/04/2009 1:22:54 PM)

The para medics have fixed my heart!! Keep going boys and win! win! win! Keep that backline tight!! Cheers

- Damian OEHME (posted 26/04/2009 1:30:31 PM)

As a stern critic of Adam McPhee I am the first to recognise his outstanding performance on Anzac Day. He was cool under pressure and found his targets, the qualities I have so often found wanting in his game. I sincerely hope he can maintain that form.

- Colin Duck (posted 26/04/2009 2:25:59 PM)

David Hille would have been playing his 150th game next week, but now must wait until next season. He's probably the player we least wanted to be injured in this way, and it continues our shocking run of bad luck with losing key players. For as long as I can recall our club seems to have suffered more than most other teams with injuries. When will we get a break??!

- Dennis Green (posted 26/04/2009 2:38:00 PM)

great to hear fletch has made 300 games! well done, its some what disappointing to know that lloyds 900 goals and fletchs 300th will be interstate, but will celebrate against the hawkers! well done to both of you! sherridan nunn. xxx

- Gary Nunn (posted 26/04/2009 2:38:59 PM)

Pity so many members & "supporters" left the ANZAC Day game during the last quarter. GUTSY effort boys! Paddy Ryder, you should be proud of yourself! Shattered about David Hille's injury. Hope the boys play the rest of the season in honour of him.

- Sue ONeill (posted 26/04/2009 3:00:28 PM)

GreatWin. Also great to see all those knockers of Jetta,Dyson,Mcphee etc eating their words,guess they will now start on Lucas and some others.

- Nicolaas Schrama (posted 26/04/2009 4:10:16 PM)

Please Matthew Knights play Tom Bellchambers for the rest of the year, all he needs to do is give a contest, even if he plays a bad game let him play this will give him all the experience he needs. Hopefully Laycock comes on board in the near future.

- Peter Pischek (posted 26/04/2009 4:43:28 PM)

Bellchambers needs to play next week and leave in the side for the remainder of the year.

- Peter Pischek (posted 26/04/2009 4:49:00 PM)

I am so proud to be an Essendon supporter!! Well done you guys were AMAZING!!!

- Ashlee Lovett (posted 26/04/2009 5:04:55 PM)

I'd hate to be one of those poor sods who left early! What an awesome finish to a great fighting game! Great to see the ol' McPhee back - we certainly missed him last week. Awesome Davey, Lovett and Ryder! (again)

- Brendan Williams (posted 26/04/2009 5:51:05 PM)

I'm rapt for Adam McPhee and Ricky D - a couple of guys who have been occasionally maligned but shone when it counted. Adam, when you are thinking positively and with aggression you are unstoppable. Cloke could have torn us up but you attacked him and the footy and did it with style.

- Luke Smith (posted 26/04/2009 5:59:02 PM)

I could have and would have been there but decided to watch it with my youngest son who couldn't get a ticket. I've seen many great bomber wins over the years but this was amongst the best. Our indigenous players stood tall. Paddy Ryder's magnificent game got due credit in the press but the importance of Andrew Lovett's gutsy runs through the centre and the cool heads of Courtney D and Nathan L-M were important too.

- Rodney Hicks (posted 26/04/2009 6:33:01 PM)

What a finish. So exciting. You guys didn't give up. Can't wait to see you in Brisbane this weekend. Lions are so ready to be beaten.

- Julie Ness (posted 26/04/2009 8:52:51 PM)

Congrats to Adam McPhee on your 150th game, and to Paddy Ryder on your Anzac Medal. Best wishes to Dustin on your 300th next week. Don't underestimate the Lions, they will be wild from their cat scratch. Hope to see Zakka's second goal next week.

- Richard Hayward (posted 26/04/2009 9:38:22 PM)

Awesome win lads, now lets start showing the footy world what we are about. Consistant footy gets you respect. The fans have seen great game's over tha past three years. Let's get fantastic weeks of footy!

- edward o'brien (posted 26/04/2009 10:40:02 PM)

Fantastic team effort and especially by Paddy Ryder and Adam McPhee. For future reference, Bombers fans, ABC commentator, Gerard Whateley, gave Paddy no votes for the game. Remember that name.

- Kris Bayne (posted 26/04/2009 10:42:29 PM)

I agree with Andrew Pritchard, I commented when the team was posting expressing how dissapointed i was in our supported for doubting Mcphee and Dyson and look what they produced. Arguable 2 of our best 3 or 4 on ANZAC day. I ahvent seen someone nullify Cloke so well in the last few yearsw.Llyod must play this week because hes been with Dustin for so long but give him a week off after to get his body right and so he can dominate 2nd half of season. Cale Hooker needs to come in not TB, CH adds more dynamic to the team

- Dan Hines (posted 26/04/2009 11:04:14 PM)

Thanks for giving my kids (and me) one of the most memorable days we'll probably ever have at the footy. It was a privilege to witness and we are very proud to be Essendon Supporters. Bombers forever!!!

- Leanne Butterworth (posted 26/04/2009 11:06:50 PM)

I think the writer meant it as in it would be great to have back to back wins as a celebration for Fletcher's 300th, rather than a win this week on his 299th and then loss, if ya get my meaning?! Anyways - great game boys! Never leave a game early, it ain't over til its over as far as I am concerned and the bombers proved that yet again!! Love youse boys - lets stick it to the lions next week! GO DONS!

- Amber Langham (posted 26/04/2009 11:19:48 PM)

Incredible effort boys!! Ryder you're a star mate but u gotta try and keep producing week in week out with hille out! zaharakis ur an absoloute gun! one of the best games i've ever watched!! lets keep it up and get back 2 back wins ay!!

- Jack Lockett (posted 26/04/2009 11:54:37 PM)

When will these TV stations stop focussing on Joffa? putting the camera on him and the freaks getting out their jackets etc when they HA HA THOUGHT they were going to win, who cares about Joffa, why the attention and where was the camera to see the egg on their faces? Robert Walls was good in his commentary today, Luke Darcy had the cheek to declare late in the term that we were all spent and flat on our feet. SUCK EGGS DARCY!

- JAN STOTT (posted 27/04/2009 12:29:56 AM)

What a game! (even the umpiring was top-notch- didn't know they were there). Well done to everyone who bagged McPhee & Dyson. They were Brilliant! (Adam 11 touches in 3rd, Dyson kicked the turning goal). Youngers players were great (again). Knights well done.

- Daniel Milford (posted 27/04/2009 8:41:25 AM)

Great work by the whole team. Mcphee was fantastic down back please keep him there, his aggression suits that role and he can beat anyone. Great goal from Ricky D to give us a chance in the final minutes of the game, I hope to see more of that composure from him. Ryder was amazing, stepping up to play the full game. Lovett and Davey were great too, really taking the game on. Give Lucas a run in the VFL for a week or two, let him kick a bag, it's silly trying to force him into form. Next week, Lloydy's 900th.

- Roland van Olphen (posted 27/04/2009 8:44:17 AM)

To all those armchair supporters knocking Knights and our boys - do me a favour: eat your words and never post another comment on this site again. Well done to everyone... just a final note - how awesome was that cheers when Zaharakis kick the winning goal? And then how electrifying was the cheer when the siren went and we were the winners? I've never experienced something like that before. Well done Essendon, well done!

- Daniel Grbac (posted 27/04/2009 9:16:48 AM)

I am over the moon with rick dysons game his final quarter and boundry line goal was second to none, and as far as zaka goes legend status is coming his way well done boys.

- Jeremy Pappin (posted 27/04/2009 9:52:50 AM)

Unbelievable. Best team effort against the odds from all players. Team effort. Watson incredible in the middle, Lovett brilliant, Ryder magnificent, Stanton determined and gutsy, Dyson cool and skilled. McPhee and Fletcher flawless. Well done Adam McPhee, a huge turn around and lets hope he can maintain that form and forget about North Melbourne. Knights completely outcoached Malthouse.

- Brett Crabtree (posted 27/04/2009 10:20:06 AM)

THERE IS ONLY ONE THING TO SAY WHEN WE WIN LIKE THIS, I LOVE THE BOMBERS, AND I AM A PROUD MEMBER, WELL DONE PADDY, MCPHEE AND GOOD LUCK TO FLETCH GO BOMBERS!!!!!!!

- Alexandra Gittings (posted 27/04/2009 10:34:25 AM)

I STILL CANT GET THE SMILE OF MY FACE YOU GUYS WERE ABSOLUTLEY SENSATIONAL!! WHAT A WIN!!

- Renee Turner (posted 27/04/2009 10:45:00 AM)

The most amazing feeling I have ever felt after a win.I know there will be losses to come but I will enjoy what I consider to be the best team effort I have seen them play in years,and when that loss comes I hope I don't read on this site the garbage that some of you so called fans write.Keep improving Bombers.

- Cheryl Spivey (posted 27/04/2009 11:39:50 AM)

As a mum of 3 I can't get to the footy too much and this was my first game of the season. All I can say is bring on the babysitters cos I'm not going to miss another game like that for the world! That roar at the end was sensational. I was sat up in the nosebleed section surrounded by Collingwood supporters so it was extra sweeeeet when the siren went!

- Sophia Pamich (posted 27/04/2009 1:04:49 PM)

Sensational effort and some stand out performances, particularly Ryder. Let's not forget Sam Lonergan's effort. Playing the game out with a corked thigh and 5 stitches typifies the ANZAC spirit of supporting your mates in the face of adversity.

- Craig Tyeson (posted 27/04/2009 1:21:50 PM)

I have been a member since 1975 seen the bad seen the good. Many memorable moments, BUT that game on Saturday ranks with the best. Great game Paddy, Andy Lovett and all our players all the best to Hille, thinking of you. Love my bombers, thanks again for reminding me why I barrack for the best club in the competition.I took my 14yr old grandaughter and she was absolutely thrilled.

- Gwenda Warfe (posted 27/04/2009 1:28:27 PM)

Yeah baby......thats how we roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Adrian Disney (posted 27/04/2009 1:47:03 PM)

What a fantastic game you all did us proud. Paddy Ryder a very worthy recipient of the Anzac Day Medal you stood up when it counted and silenced the critics. Great game Adam McPhee keep up the good work. When David Zaharakis kicked that last goal I leapt out of my chair a very promising future for David and he plays for Essendon!!! Well done team.

- Valerie Loweth (posted 27/04/2009 5:25:19 PM)

I thought Dyson had a different/hungrier look about him this week - well done. I was not in favour of his inclusion (as if my thoughts matter!) but I concede he did very well and deserves his place next week. He really should however always play on the forward flank to kick goals - not down back.

- Francis Connolly (posted 27/04/2009 10:16:58 PM)

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