The Bombers were led superbly all night by captain James Hird who was tireless in the energy-sapping conditions. Hird finished the match with four goals – including one super goal – and set up a couple of others. He was simply outstanding and it is a great sign for the season ahead to have the captain fit and playing good football.
But it was new recruit Justin Murphy who put the icing on the cake for the Bombers kicking the winning goal with just two minutes left to go in the game. There was so much for Essendon supporters to be impressed by – the stars fired, the middle group showed they have improved and the youngsters excited.
Jason Winderlich, Jobe Watson, Kepler Bradley, Nathan Lovett-Murray and Brent Stanton all impressed at different times during the night. They all look to have big futures and played key roles in the eight-point win.
The first quarter was dominated by Fremantle’s Des Headland who proved more than a handful for Sean Wellman. Headland finished the quarter with three goals – including one supergoal – and it was Mark Johnson who finished the quarter on him. Apart from Hird, the Bombers were well served by Jobe Watson, who finished with seven touches for the quarter, Justin Murphy and Andrew Welsh who was superb deep in defence.
Fremantle extended its lead to eight points at the main break. Peter Bell was outstanding winning countless possessions and his partner in crime Paul Hasleby came into his own as well. For Essendon it was the experience of Joe Misiti that was an important factor. The game had tightened up considerably and his experience was critical in close. It was the Misiti of old.
In the third quarter the Bombers put their foot to the floor and produced some outstanding football to turn an eight-point deficit into a 10-point lead. The key to the Bombers resurgence was Scott Lucas who was switched o the forward line with great success. A supergoal was quickly followed by another brilliant snap after he gathered a loose ball and the Bombers were on fire.
The final quarter started well for the Bombers – a David Hille goal courtesy of a brilliant chip pass from Hird saw the Bombers extend their three-quarter time break to 16-points and they appeared to have the match in control. However the Dockers hit back hard with three quick goals coming via the boots of Clive Waterhouse, Troy Simmonds and Peter Bell.
But their was another twist in the game yet. Matthew Lloyd marked deep in the forward line and threaded a handball to Jason Winderlich in the goalsquare who goaled and put Essendon back in front. The Murphy mark and goal put the issue beyond doubt. Bring on 2004!
