Essendon have been demolished by Port Adelaide – 23.8 (146) to 9.8 (62) – in a dismal display that is sure to increase the pressure on the Bombers heading into the off-season.
Apart from a third-quarter counter-attack, Port Adelaide were hardly troubled by the Bombers, who posted their highest score of the year.
It marks a welcome release of pressure for Port Adelaide and sets the stage for a showdown with Adelaide to close out their season.
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QUARTER BY QUARTER SUMMARY
There were no late changes from either side. Ben Hobbs (Essendon) and Jackson Mead (Port Adelaide) were the medical substitutes.
Port Adelaide got off to the perfect start, with Travis Boak finishing off some play in the opening 15 seconds of the game.
Essendon responded through Nic Martin who got into the forward 50 and finished clean.
Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades combined for the next two majors, then a brilliant mark from Charlie Dixon was followed by an assured seven kick, giving the Power some breathing room on the scoreboard.”
Mid-season recruit Massimo D’Ambrosio helped bring his side back into the mix, kicking his first AFL goal and then his second just minutes later.
Essendon gave away a costly free-kick during a scramble with Jeremy Finlayson, which led to Sam Powell-Pepper scoring just before the quarter-time siren.
Port Adelaide led by eight points at the first change.
Powell-Pepper’s late goal was just the start of the power surge, with Ken Hinkley’s side running over Essendon as the second term began.
Essendon barely fired as Port Adelaide kicked four goals in seven minutes, with some passages dubbed “a training drill” by Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell.
The Power continued to pile on the goals, with Karl Amon booting a 52-point margin and eight unanswered goals.
“It seems like they’ve given up in a sense Essendon,” Jordan Lewis told Fox Footy, noting the Fire’s lack of communication and effort.
At the half, the Firemen trailed by 51 points.
Todd Marshall kicked the opening goal of the second half, but Essendon were let out by a couple of Port Adelaide mistakes in front of goal.
An Archie Perkins set-piece finally broke Essendon’s goal drought, but Zak Butters restored a 60-point lead for his side with a goal soon after.
Peter Wright and Nick Hind got back-to-back goals for the Bombers as they started to show a little more fight in the middle of the pitch, but Port Adelaide still managed to get a look at goal.
At three-quarter-time, Essendon had won the quarter, reducing a 51-point to 49-point margin.
Unfortunately for Essendon fans, the final quarter was far from impressive, with Port Adelaide quickly extending their lead.
Several of the visitors’ goals came with alarming ease as the margin continued to grow as much of the Bombers crowd began to head home.
THE 3-2-1
3) PRESSURE IS ON FOR BOMBERS AFTER BRUTAL LOSS
Ben Rutten must be wondering why the message didn’t get through to his players.
The Bombers were soundly beaten by Greater Western Sydney last week and heading into Sunday the focus was clear.
“We have to respond very quickly, especially in and around the contest,” Rutten told Fox Footy ahead of the game.
“Our ability to tackle and win our share of the ball contested and put pressure on the opposition … we’re really looking forward to seeing how we match up tonight.”
With this focus on the competition, Rutten must have been quite alarming at the main break, with his side conceding 43 points after the break while scoring just seven for his side.
“All around the competition it’s terrible… they had been the number one team in the last month of football but they were smashed last week and they were absolutely smashed in today’s football, especially in the second quarter,” Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy. in the middle
“It started from center-rebound in the first quarter but then on the floor in the second quarter.
“They’ve conceded seven goals from stoppage time, which is an incredible number for a game of football let alone a half.”
The midfield responded with a better showing in the third quarter but limped to the finish line, doing nothing to mask the questions the Bombers need to address ahead of a searching off-season.
“Parish’s there, Shiel’s back, Merrett’s there, they’re dominating the ruck because Draper has height over Finlayson … they need to change something,” Brown said.
“I’d say if I was Ben Rutten, ‘if you want to play in midfield, you’ve got to earn it, so out.’
Such was the scale of the loss, Brown noted immediately afterward: “I don’t know what to say.”
2) THE GREAT PASSES OF ALIIR
Aliir Aliir has been a great defender of interceptions, but perhaps that description is selling him short.
Few players this season have been able to stop Peter Wright from making an impact on the scoreboard or on the floor, but Aliir proved to be an exception to the rule.
“It’s been outstanding, Alir Alir,” Jonathan Brown said.
“I was very impressed. He’s not just an offside zone defender. Peter Wright is one of the best key forwards in the competition this season.
“Not only has he shut it down, but he’s also had an impact offensively and he’s been able to pass and spoil not only Peter Wright, but other opposing players and help his teammates.
“I think he’s had an excellent game and I think it highlights his development as a key defender.”
1) ENIGMA OF THE REBATED RUCK
Ken Hinkley has a lot of headaches after a disappointing season, but there might be a good one.
Scott Lycett’s injury early in the season certainly hurt the side in the short term, but as the season has progressed there have been promising signs in that department.
Sam Hayes came in for a long spell and showed promise in the number one ruck mantle, then Brynn Teakle burst onto the scene as a mid-season recruit, showing plenty before going off injured on his debut in the ‘AFL.
Jeremy Finlayson, however, could be the pick of the bunch and some shrewd recruiting.
Many questioned the need for Finlayson when he was found via trade late last year, but he has shown incredibly impressive potential when given the reins in the ruck.
On Sunday, he overthrew opponent Sam Draper and made the ruck case even more curious for Port Adelaide in 2023.
“We’ve stepped up a lot in Draper this season, we think he’s going to be a very good ruckman in the competition going forward,” Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy.
“He had four disposals, his opponent Jeremy Finlayson had 21, four disposals and two goals.
“It shows the difference on the day, it also shows the impact a player like Finlayson can have.”
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