Five Years On ... Bombers Back In Finals!

Five years later …. Essendon is finally back in the AFL Finals!

Following the Bombers 16.20 (116) to 14.15 (99) victory over Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday afternoon in AFL Round 22, the win cemented 8th spot on the AFL ladder and setup a trip to the same venue as their last finals appearance in 2004 – AAMI Stadium in Adelaide and an Elimination Final matchup against the Crows next Friday night.

Having looked all but gone at half-time, a crunching Matthew Lloyd tackle to start the second half and a four-goal haul from ‘boom youngster’ Michael Hurley put the Bombers into its first finals series since 2004.

Posted 29 August 09 in Match Review

We're Still Waiting Bloos

In what could be described as an “upset” – Essendon produced their best performance in a long while for their mortal arch enemy Carlton, as the Bombers destroyed the hapless Blues to run out commanding 69 point winners 21.10 (136) to 9.13 (67), in front of 83,407 fans at the MCG on Friday night to begin AFL Round 13.

After trailing by 14 points midway through the second term, the Bombers kicked 13 of the next 14 goals, and 16 of the last 18 goals in the match, to completely annihilate Carlton and stamp themselves as genuine finals prospects. The win also marked the Bombers fifth consecutive victory over the Bloos.

Posted 27 June 09 in Match Review

Bombers Overcome Demons

Essendon moved back into the AFL Top 8 with a 48 point victory over Melbourne at Jihad Stadium on Friday night in their AFL Round 12 clash.

After losing three of their previous four matches heading into the mid-season break, the Bombers blew away the bottom-feeding Demons with a seven goal to one third quarter, to register a 19.17 (131) to 13.5 (83) win.

Posted 20 June 09 in Match Review

Bombers Crash Against Crows

After leading from start to within 15 minutes of the finish, the Bombers fell apart in the final term as the Adelaide Crows overran the home side, to take home a 16 point victory in their AFL Round 11 clash at Jihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Unknown Crow forward Kurt Tippett kicked a career high seven goals to see his side run out 21.4 (130) to 18.6 (114) winners and see the Bombers head into the mid-season break with a 5-6 record and sit in 11th spot on the AFL ladder at the midway point of the season.

Posted  8 June 09 in Match Review

Bombers Pumped By Pussies

Essendon have crashed back to earth and crashed from 4th to 9th on the AFL ladder after they were given ‘a football lesson’ at the hands of the undefeated Geelong on Sunday afternoon at Jihad Stadium in AFL Round 10.

After the Bombers kicked the opening goal of the game via the boot of Jay Neagle, the Cats then set upon demolishing the young Bombers and in the end ran away 64 point winners 20.14 (134) to 11.4 (70) and showed that the Bombers still have a long long long way to go before being able to match it with the AFL’s elite.

Posted 31 May 09 in Match Review

Bombers Tame Terry's Timid Tigers

Essendon inflicted more wounds to the struggling Tigers and possibly ended the coaching career of Terry “Wallet” Wallace with a comeback 40 point victory in AFL Round 9 at the MCG on Saturday night.

The Bombers kicked 12 goals to 3 in the second half to turn around a 16 point deficit at half time to win by 40 at the final siren – 19.11 (125) to 12.13 (85) – which in turn saw Tiger fans calling for the head of Wallace on radio and internet chatter.

Jason Winderlich won the Yiooken Award as part of the AFL’s Indigenous Round for his best-on-ground performance. He had 28 touches for the game and along with Jobe Watson, Patrick Ryder, Andrew Lovett and skipper Matthew Lloyd who finished with 4 goals for the game were amongst the Bombers best.

Posted 24 May 09 in Match Review

Bombers Blow A Golden Opportunity

An unanswered six goal first quarter burst by AFL ladder leader St. Kilda was the difference, as the Bombers rued wasted opportunities in front of goal to go down by 19 points to the Saints – 13.12 (90) to 10.11 (71) – in their AFL Round 8 clash at Jihad Stadium on Sunday evening.

From a 28 point deficit at quarter time, the Bombers had the better of the game from that point on, winning the next three quarters but could not close the gap to under three goals and sprayed chances in the final term finishing with a return of 2.5.

Bomber midfielder Jobe Watson finished with a match-high 39 disposals, while captain Matthew Lloyd and emerging forward Jay Neagle booted three goals each. Andrew Lovett, Courtenay Dempsey and Tayte Pears were also among Essendon’s best.

Posted 17 May 09 in Match Review

Bombers Pound The Reigning Premier

Essendon pulled off a major upset at Jihad Stadium on Friday night embarrassing reigning AFL Premier Hawthorn with a 44 point victory to begin AFL Round 7. Down by a point at half-time, the Bombers piled on the goals in the second half with 11 goals to four to run out 17.14 (116) to 10.12 (72) winners in front of a sellout crowd of 50,475.

Brent Stanton finished with a career high 36 possessions to be judged best afield, while skipper Matthew Lloyd, Alwyn Davey, Jason Winderlich, Andrew Lovett and Angus Monfries were amongst the Bombers best in a “real team effort”.

Posted  9 May 09 in Match Review

Lions Send Bombers Back To Earth

Essendon crashed back to earth on Saturday night with a 43 point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba in AFL Round 6. Fresh off their amazing ANZAC Day victory over Collingwood a week earlier, hopes were high that the Bombers could break their 9 year losing streak at the Gabba, but after a 5 goal to 1 opening quarter the Lions way, the Bombers were never in the contest and the loss was compounded with defender Dustin Fletcher, who was playing his 300th AFL game, going down with a leg injury, that will see him sidelined for 6-8 weeks.

Posted  3 May 09 in Match Review

Bombers Win An anZAK Day Thriller

Essendon scored one of their most remarkable victories in modern times, coming back from 14 points down at the 25 minute mark of the final quarter, to steal a 5 point victory against Collingwood in the ANZAC Day blockbuster at the MCG on Saturday afternoon in AFL Round 5.

With just seconds remaining on the clock, it was rookie David Zaharakis – whose great grandfather fought at Gallipoli – that booted the winning goal to give his side a 13.15 (93) to 12.16 (88) victory and move back into the AFL Top 8.

Paddy Ryder was awarded the ANZAC Medal, after being forced to ruck all day against Magpies duo Josh Fraser and Leigh Brown when Bomber ruckman David Hille went down with what looked to be a season-ending knee injury in the second minute of the match.

Posted 25 April 09 in Match Review