Essendon’s defensive unit played a key role in securing another four points on Saturday night, holding up well in the side’s eight-point win over a travelling Sydney.
The Bombers were propelled by the efforts of their key backs, especially late in the contest as a tough Swans outfit tried to surge back into the game throughout the final term.
In addition to their work without the ball, the Dons’ ability to dictate possession at crucial stages also worked in their favour as the game wore on.
The stats that mattered, thanks to Fujitsu:
Intercept wins the night
The Bombers’ blistering early form started from general anticipation of play.
7.5 (47) of the side’s score - 66 per cent in total – came directly from intercepts, the highest scoring source for either side in any category on the night.
Zach Reid’s breakout of 27 disposals, 14 marks and eight intercepts was key in that facet, with Ben McKay also recording a team-high nine intercept possessions and five intercept marks of his own, going at 100 per cent efficiency.
McKay, Reid and half back Nic Martin (38 touches) were also the only Bombers to rack up 100 per cent game time.
The forwards’ tendency to swoop on errors was also notable, with 4.2 (26) of the Dons’ scores coming from forward half turnovers.
Bringing pressure, handling pressure
When Corey Warner looked set for a certain final quarter goal in a one-on-one with a desperate Mason Redman, it was the defender’s second effort and a brutal goal line tackle from Xavier Duursma which epitomised Essendon’s effort all night.
The Bombers outdid Sydney 60-46 in the tackle count, also beating them out in pressure factor 1.83-1.66.
When the Swans threatened late, the Dons also found a way to steady in their distribution from the last line.
Despite conceding 18 inside 50’s in the final term due to Sydney’s improved run and carry, the Bombers went at 90 per cent disposal efficiency inside defensive 50 throughout the quarter and managed not to record a single turnover in the area.
Dictating possession
In their second quarter blitz, it was a mountain of handball receives and uncontested possession which cut the game open.
The Bombers were plus-28 in uncontested midfield ball for the quarter, with the mids recording a game-high 1.98 rating for pressure factor in that period.
Martin and Andrew McGrath (35 touches, 745 metres gained) combined for 37 handball receives, with their constant dash off half back setting up the early charge.
In total, the Dons held possession for 46 per cent of the game compared to Sydney’s 37 per cent, which came to the fore in the final minutes of chipping the ball around and managing the clock.
116 uncontested marks to Sydney’s 84 highlighted improved efficiency and spread from a Dons side that needed calmness, especially in the midst of a late scare.
Other notable individual numbers
Jaxon Prior – 23 disposals, 14 marks, five intercepts, 88 per cent kicking efficiency
Will Setterfield – 28 disposals, nine marks, eight tackles, 19 centre bounce attendances
Nate Caddy – 16 disposals, three marks inside 50, three goals
