Powers Punch Out The Bombers Lights

Essendon were handed their second successive thumping, this time at the hands of Port Adelaide, who condemned the Bombers to their fourth successive loss with a 64 point victory at the Phone Dome in AFL Round 7 on Sunday evening.

Port Adelaide kicked six of the first seven goals in the opening term and the match was as good as over from that point, even as the Bombers scored 15 goals for the game, with a five goal haul to skipper Matthew Lloyd, but as has been the case during the 2008 AFL Season, the Bombers defence bled goals, giving up 24 goals for the game as Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop had a career best seven goal game.

With 13 players sidelined by injury, three debutants graced the field for the first time with David Myers, Darcy Daniher and Jarrod Atkinson making their AFL senior debuts.

Myers was impressive with 14 possessions, Atkinson 10 while Daniher had little impact with only 4 touches as 61 Daniher’s watched on from the stands.

Port got off to a flying start with the opening three goals of the match via Motlop, Steven Salopek and David Rodan before Lloyd opened the Bombers account with a goal from a free kick while Lloyd also chipped in with the Bombers other goal for the opening term after a strong mark. But it was not enough as Port held a handy 27 point lead at the first break.

The match as a contest came to an end during the second term as a four goal run to the Power blew the margin out to 57 points before late Bomber goals to Jobe Watson and Patrick Ryder reduced the margin to 45 at the main change.

Jay Neagle, playing his fist senior game for the year, gave the Bombers the slightest hopes of an implausible comeback with the opening goal of the second half to make the margin just over six goals, but once again the Power put the foot down to push the margin to nearly 10 goals throughout much of the third quarter and it was 53 points heading into the final term.

Port stretched the margin out in a forgettable final term with five goals to three, a quarter which saw Adam McPhee reported for a bump on Travis Boak late in the match.

Lloyd was the Bombers best with his five goal straight game while Jay Neagle finished with two goals also showed promise for the future. Jobe Watson (21 disposals and four clearances), Angus Monfries (24 possessions) and NAB Rising Star nominee Bachar Houli had 26 touches and seven tackles were the major ball winners on the night.

Essendon will no go into the weeks break licking their wounds sitting 13th on the AFL Ladder with a 2-5 record and a date with Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Sunday May 18 in AFL Round 8.

Posted 4 May 08 in News Match Review