Essendon brought the magic on Saturday.
Bouncing back from a tough loss on home deck to the Eagles a week prior, the Bombers kicked the opening six goals to establish a big lead over Carlton and never looked back.
The eventual margin was 32 points, wrapping up a big afternoon and improving the Bombers to a 6-3 record for the season.
It was a day to remember on many fronts for utility Sophie Alexander, who booted three goals to cap off her 50th AFLW game in style.
Alexander was humble in her reflections, citing the energy of the day at Windy Hill as a key factor.
“Good (of me) to turn up for once,” Alexander said.
“No, it’s a great occasion and to be able to wear the Pride jumper at Windy Hill for the first time, there’s so much more it’s about than just someone playing 50 games.
“(It’s a cliché but) it was a good team effort, it was exciting.”
As both sides entered the contest off the back of defeats, Alexander knew the Bombers had to be up for the challenge early.
Fast start accounted for, the messaging stayed identical in the Bombers’ camp at the half-time break, looking to reset and apply pressure at the source.
“What a good day to play footy. We knew it was going to be contested coming out after last week, they probably had a bit of fire in their belly as well from their game, it was just going to be (about) who executed their game plan first, and we did that,” Alexander said.
“(The messaging after half-time was) same as always, start again. You can’t rest on your laurels, it’s always hard work getting to where you’ve got by half-time, and then you just start again and put the foot down. Nothing changed.”
The Bombers have an important test ahead for the final match of the home-and-away season, facing Gold Coast on the road this Friday night.
Alexander’s message for the fans is clear – keep doing what they’re doing.
“Coming off that, we’re pumped. We can’t take a step back now, it’s (about) going forward and keeping momentum,” Alexander said.
“Just keep turning up, we love it. Even when we’re away, keep coming.”
