Skipper Andy McGrath reflected on Essendon’s thrilling three-point Challenge Game victory over the GIANTS at Marvel Stadium on Sunday night.

Following the win, McGrath spoke about the resilience the Bombers have shown through a difficult season, the emotional impact of the Challenge Game, Dean Solomon’s leadership and the unwavering support of the Bomber Faithful.

All of McGrath’s post-game thoughts below.

McGrath on… breaking through

It feels great. 

I think the boys have been through a lot, we've had a really testing season. 

It's tested our resilience, it's tested our fans resilience, and I’m just really proud that the boys were able to put together a really solid performance and bring to life a lot of things we've been working on. 

We know how hard we've been working behind the scenes and have it all come to life today was really cool. 

Everyone's seen we've been low on a bit of confidence and have had some heavy defeats, so to put ourselves in a position to win the game, and then to hold onto it with our structures, and be really calm headed towards the end there was really positive. 

I loved Kyle Langford’s decision to chip it wide and kill another 30 seconds, the composure in those moments, you can't train them at training too much. 

McGrath on… what the Challenge Game means

Weeks like this remind you how footy transcends the sport, and we can touch so many people's lives that are going through much harder things than we are. 

We were lucky enough to meet so many beautiful children and their families this week that are going through a real struggle, and the battle of their lives, and we wanted to wear this armband with pride today. 

We’ve got little mementos all over these jumpers to remind us of those kids, and take a bit of their heart and their passion out there.

I think all of us as we walked out said they (the kids) were all our good luck charms, and they were today. 

McGrath on… Dean Solomon’s leadership

Solly's been great. 

It's been a really tough period for everyone, and Solly's been the first to put his hand up and lead that and be at the front of that, and I'm right there with him. 

We ride the highs and the lows as leaders of football clubs, and you feel the pain of your fans and your players when things are hard, but I’m really happy for the whole footy club as well as Solly today. 

I think we deserved to win. We could feel it building, even though the results weren't ticking over our way, and I’m really happy for everyone inside the footy Club today. 

McGrath on… the Bomber Faithful

Our fans are always amazing. 

It was amazing to execute (the win) and our fans played a huge role in it. 

We could hear them the whole way through, and they were a big part as to why we got over the line. 

No matter how many numbers we have, they're always really loud and in these close games, they mean even more. 

So, thank you guys and keep showing up.