Essendon’s poor record against Port Adelaide continued today, with the Bombers going down to the Power by three points.

Despite having a number of opportunities to seal the game, the Bombers allowed the Power to work themselves back into the match - their inability to finish ultimately costing them.
Assistant coach Adrian Hickmott says it was a disappointing result in which the Bombers were unable to put their stamp on the game.
“It was a disappointing result because we had chances to win the game,” Hickmott said.

“It is obviously something we have to work on because when you have got opportunities you have to finish off.

“If you don’t finish off on the board, it will definitely come back and bite you and that showed today.”
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Hickmott said while the Bombers provided strong physical pressure around the ground, their poor execution hurt them.

“We beat them in the contested ball.  We tried to move it on as quick as we could and play good, hard football – that was one of our main aims to do that and I think we did that well,” he said.

“Our turnovers and just basic skill errors hurts us and enabled the opposition to get back in a hurry and we have to get better at that.”
David Zaharakis and Angus Monfries were lively for the Bombers up forward, while Scott Gumbleton continues to improve, producing three goals and leading well.
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“Gumbleton worked hard today and is getting better and better each game,” Hickmott said.

“He needs to be able to mark the ball more in a contested mark situation but that will come with more experience.

“Alwyn Davey’s pressure was good and created a few turnovers and Nathan Lovett-Murray was good through the middle.

“I think Hurley also got into it more as the game went on.”

Courtenay Dempsey and Cale Hooker led a hard-working defence at the opposite end of the ground.

“It is hard work back there when the ball keeps flying in so I think the guys in defence did a good job today,” Hickmott said.

“Hooker played courageous football today. I saw him sitting there on the bench getting stitches in his head and to come back on and play in front of his man.

“Dempsey read the play very well today and Henry Slattery is another one who took a big hit and went back on with a sore body and was courageous in his efforts today.”
Slattery was taken to hospital after the game to be examined for a rib injury.
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