ESSENDON 12.10 (82) d GWS GIANTS 9.8 (62)
Kyle Langford celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty Images
DONS BLITZ THE SECOND HALF
It was a night of no orange tsumani and more Don’s salami as the Bombers evoked a performance more like their forefathers than their recent years. The Giants led early and looked to be powering to another sizable win, but after quarter-time they offered little in Callan Ward’s 300th game. You have to give credit to the pressure and relentlessness of the Bombers. They kept their errors low and willed themselves to every contest and once the ball was in the hands of the likes of Nic Martin, Sam Durham, Zach Merrett and others, they sent it forward. Kyle Langford again set the standard in the attacking half and Matt Guelfi’s pressure on Lachie Whitfield and quality finishing gave their supporters reason to believe. The way the Dons saluted in the last term was also a nod to the great teams of the past. We haven’t seen this too much from Essendon in recent times, but they were assured, focused and deserved their reward. The Bombers have six and a half wins from nine games, who saw that coming in 2024?
TOUGH NIGHT FOR GIANTS
Only the Giants will know why they couldn’t overcome the Bombers’ pressure, but they have previously had some big nights against this club in recent years and led by 22 points in the first half. Tom Green and several others won plenty of footy, but they couldn’t find a way to get back into it. Perhaps the conflicting emotions of Ward’s 300th and the death of former Giant Cam McCarthy on Thursday took a toll, or maybe they are just due a down night after such a strong start to 2024. Either way, their response will be telling in coming weeks. Jesse Hogan fired early, but Ben McKay ultimately had the better of him, although a lack of quality delivery helped him.
DANCING DAVEY A HIGHLIGHT
Alwyn Davey jnr showed he has agility and goal sense to match his dad and former Dons player Alwyn snr with a brilliant goal in the opening term.
With the ball flying into the forward line, Davey jnr was one out with his defender and stepped inside before turning towards the boundary and running clear of his man before snapping the goal. Commentator Anthony Hudson dubbed him “Dancing Davey” after that goal.
Dons fans roared and while Davey jnr is still in the infancy of his career, more goals like that and more pressure acts will make someone with his speed and skills a dangerous player. His promise mirrors that of his young side.
