In 2019 we will be looking back on five key lessons to take away from every Bombers match, thanks to RMIT.

This time we look into the Bombers’ amazing five-point victory over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

1. Dylan Clarke is the form tagger of the comp

Emerging midfielder Dylan Clarke has played just seven games, including six on the trot this year. Within those six games, he has quickly become the leading shut-down player in the competition.

Greater Western Sydney onballer Matt de Boer was arguably the leader in that regard throughout the first half of the year, but now he is on the sidelines and Clarke has taken his place at the top.

The young Bomber smashed North Melbourne star Ben Cunnington on the weekend, keeping him to season lows for disposals (15), clearances (two) and marks (zero).

And when the game was there to be won, he kept Cunnington to just one disposal in the final term, seeing the Roo join Carlton’s Patrick Cripps, Hawthorn’s Jaeger O’Meara and Sydney’s Luke Parker among the massive scalps Clarke has claimed this year.

Clarke doesn’t resort to niggling or hanging off his opponents, he simply just pays enough attention to stop them when necessary while allowing himself to find the ball too – he had 13 disposals and 12 tackles (double the next best on the ground).

2. Zac Clarke has still got it

A lack of continuity has been a challenge for ruckman Zac Clarke this year. Coming off two years off the AFL field and one out of the league, his requirement as a held-over emergency had meant a number of weekends without playing a game in his first year at The Hangar.

It all started with some positive late signs against Sydney in round 16. Clarke claimed seven hitouts (three to advantage), a clearance and a towering contested mark in the final term after what had been a tough day at the office.

That strong finish was an important time for the former Docker and he kicked off Saturday’s game like a man possessed, moving well across the ground and cracking into every contest, ruck or not, with plenty of aggression.

It was never going to be an easy task against gun opponent Todd Goldstein, but Clarke did more than just compete well, he beat Goldstein fair and square with 12 disposals, 35 hitouts, seven contested possessions, six marks and an equal career-high six clearances.

3. Persistence is the key for dazzling defenders

Star defender Adam Saad was well held by the Roos early in the game. In fact, his very first disposal came with just 12 minutes left in the first half.

But rather than getting down in the dumps, Saad responded in the best way possible, dominating the rest of the game to finish up with 22 disposals, nine contested possessions, eight inside 50s and five rebound 50s.

Saad’s blossoming partnership with fellow half-back speedster Conor McKenna is one arguably the most exciting part of Essendon’s game and there is nothing better to watch than when they work in tandem causing absolute panic among the opposition.

McKenna also didn’t waver after the disappointment of missing a chance to kick what would have been the goal of the year in a stunning four-bounce, one-two attack through the middle.

He put the jets on once again with less than a minute to go in the game under plenty of pressure, backing his speed and endurance to play a crucial part Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s stunning game-winning goal.  

4. The Marty Party is back in business

656 days had passed since Marty Gleeson’s latest AFL game when he made his long-awaited return to the AFL field in round 15.

You could excuse some rustiness from the defender, but he was simply sensational against the Roos in just his third game back.

The Gleeson all fans grew to love was back in all of his glory on Saturday, showing exactly why he had become one of the first names ticked off at team selection before suffering his brutal ankle injury in last year’s JLT community series.

The courageous 24-year-old gathered 21 disposals, seven contested possessions, eight one percenters and eight intercept possessions in a tough and classy performance.

His versatility is awfully important for the side as he is capable of lining up on almost any type of forward, mixing athleticism and an innate ability to read the play beautifully.

Gleeson takes an important mark against the Roos on Saturday. (Image: AFL Photos)

5. We shouldn’t let that snap take away from the pass

McDonald-Tipungwuti’s incredible goal at the death on Saturday is sure to be replayed for many years to come, and so it should.

To snap the ball on his right foot through the narrow window available under such immense pressure was unbelievable, but he wouldn’t have had the chance to be the hero if it weren’t for young forward Jayden Laverde.

Laverde competed brilliantly all day and his effort to get the Sherrin out to McDonald-Tipungwuti with just over 20 seconds left on the clock was terrific.

Gathering the ball deep in the pocket, Laverde showed incredible composure to weave through traffic, sell some candy and fire off a tidy handball to the fan favourite who did the rest.

There were also plenty of other commendable efforts that helped lead to the amazing goal, including Shaun McKernan’s smart hitout to Andrew McGrath, McKenna’s gut-busting dash and Orazio Fantasia’s deep kick under pressure. It was a monumental team effort.