Essendon claim ANZAC Day honours with massive 46-point win over Collingwood.
Jobe Watson celebrates a goal with Essendon fans. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun
Travis Cloke misses a shot at goal. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun
ESSENDON left the MCG with a clear statement: It is a serious contender.
Not might, or will, or could be - is.
The Bombers dismantled Collingwood with a 12-goal second half, the final quarter a six-goal to three blitz which came after the Magpies kicked the first two goals of the term.
They were challenged at the end of the first quarter, through the middle of the second and third quarters and at the start of the final quarter.
Each time, they responded with a run of goals, including a run of four in the third quarter, and five to finish the game.
That would be disturbing for Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.
His team was opened up by Hawthorn at the same venue in Round 3 and again yesterday.
When it happens once it can be an aberration. When it happens twice inside three weeks it is a concerning trend.
LiveHQ: Full stats, SuperCoach points and more
Just like the Hawks game, the Pies were overran in the final quarter, which means it is either a fitness issue or they aren't good enough.
The final score was 18.13 (121) to 10.15 (75).
The Bombers put Scott Pendlebury under pressure. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Bombers coach James Hird praised the overall team defence yesterday, but also singled out a back group which has held steady throughout the five-zip start.
Yesterday, Jake Carlisle contained Travis Cloke (six marks, two goals), Michael Hibberd and Courtenay Dempsey created off the flanks, Mark Baguley subdued Jamie Elliott (nine touches, one goal) and Kyle Hardingham and Cale Hooker were steady enough.
Everyone's talking about our offence, but not giving us enough credit for our defence. Look at the stats. Look at them.
Overall, the Bombers are defensive demons.
It is the No.1 improvement from last year to this.
Hird admitted yesterday his midfield needed a ''change of mindset'' and Heath Hocking agreed.
Pendlebury turns torch on 'cheating' Pies
Hocking took Pendlebury yesterday and, although beaten, he was part of a midfield which had more depth of contribution than Collingwood.
Ron Reed: A salute to James Hird
Hocking, who was restricted last year because of a shoulder injury which needed surgery at the end of the season, epitomises what is required in intensity, while Brent Stanton epitomises how much Essendon has improved.
Hird praises steely defence
''I like our team defence,'' Hocking said.
''We've worked on it which was one of the coaches' aims, just be a better accountable footy team which means we can compete with the better sides."
Scott Gumbleton celebrates a goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
He says his teammates ram home the point at every opportunity.
''Last year there were times when it was not so consistent, but right now it's there, we're red hot. If someone is not manning up, we're tough on them. And it's contagious. If you're mate's doing it, you do it, and it lifts you.''
Brendon Goddard transferred from the one of the most miserly team defences in the history of the game, and when asked last night how big a difference defence makes, he said: ''It's between winning and losing.
''Everyone's talking about our offence, but not giving us enough credit for our defence. Look at the stats. Look at them.''
For the Pies, Steele Sidebottom had 22 disposals at the half and 31 for the game, and stats show he had Dempsey for much of the first quarter, when he racked up 13.
As the game continued, Pendlebury became Collingwood's most threatening player, while Dane Swan had 30 touches.
The next best mid in terms of numbers was Marty Clarke with 21.
Dale Thomas crashes over Courtenay Dempsey. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
No wonder Pendlebury talked about cheats, because the Essendon midfield was able to run rampant several times.
In the first quarter the Pies laid just four tackles. That improved to 15 in the second quarter, 18 in the third and 13 in the final-quarter capitulation.
A critical period of the game was the first 11 minutes of the third quarter. The Bombers had a 7-0 clearance differential and kicked four goals.
The game might've been tighter, perhaps, if the Bombers big men, Tom Bellchambers and Scott Gumbleton, didn't receive free kicks - and goals - for two contentious decisions late in the third quarter.
Watch Nathan Buckley react to Ben Reid's free kick for pushing Essendon's Tom Bellchambers in the third quarter.
As it was, the Bombers had too many winners.
Jason Winderlich kicked three goals and had five score assists and was a menace in the forward line, Alwyn Davey's tackling pressure is first rate, and Bellchambers is far better than anyone ever thought.
On the flip side, Buckley will ask questions about Jordan Russell in defence, and he didn't get enough out of his three smalls, Dwyer, Blair and Elliott, just to name a few.
Picture gallery: All the action and emotion from the MCG
Herald Sun Player of the Year votes
3. David Zaharakis (Ess)
2. Jobe Watson (Ess)
1. Michael Hibberd (Ess)
Best players
Essendon: Zaharakis, Watson, Hibberd, Stanton, Carlisle, Goddard, Winderlich, Baguley, Bellchambers. Collingwood: Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Reid, Shaw, Swan.
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