Essendon were rampant over an uncompetitive Melbourne side. This game was a far cry from the pressure the Bombers can expect at Patersons Stadium against a Ross Lyon coached Fremantle side. Too many damaging midfielders were afforded too much space and the end result just reflected the possession monopoly Essendon had.
How they lined up:
| B: | Hibberd | Carlisle | Fletcher |
| HB: | Dempsey | Hooker | Goddard |
| C: | Howlett | Heppell | Stanton |
| HF: | Zaharakis | Bellchambers | Myers |
| F: | Davey | Hurley | Crameri |
| Ruck: | Ryder | Watson | Hocking |
| INT: | Merrett | Baguley | Melksham Kommer (sub) |
Key outs: Winderlich (Mid/Fwd),
By the lines
Defence: The Bomber backline wasn’t really tested against Melbourne. In round 1, it held the Adelaide Crows to just eight goals over the last three quarters of the game. Jake Carlisle has been a revelation at full-back this year. The 198cm defender has taken 22 marks in two games. Father-time refuses to catch up with Dustin Fletcher. He was impassable against the Demons. The ace in Essendon’s defensive pack has been Courtenay Dempsey. His run and blistering pace has been utilised at every opportunity in both games this year. The brilliant Brendon Goddard has spent time on half-back and in the midfield.
Midfield: Jobe Watson has continued on from his Brownlow Medal-winning form of 2012. The Bombers captain has been incredible at the stoppages. When he’s not winning massive amounts of the football in the middle, Watson has been resting in the forward line. He kicked three goals against Melbourne. Dyson Heppell has made the move to the midfield with great success this year. He had 36 disposals in round 2, although he had no opponent in sight for large periods of the game. Ben Howlett is an early frontrunner for breakout player of the year. He’s won 50 possessions and kicked six goals in two games this year. Brent Stanton continues to win the ball and pump it forward. He had 11 inside 50s in round 2. Tagger Heath Hocking shut down Patrick Dangerfield in round 1 and he did the job against Melbourne’s Nathan Jones on Saturday. Jones had 25 disposals but at just 60 per cent efficiency.
Ruck: Ruckmen Patrick Ryder and Tom Bellchambers share the ruck load and rest forward when not on the ball. Against Melbourne, Bellchambers booted four goals, while he and Ryder put on a hitout clinic. A staggering 50 per cent of Essendon’s 40 hitouts against Melbourne went to advantage. Ryder used his impressive athleticism to win most of his hitouts. The West Australian likes to use two movements at the centre bounces. He jumps into his opponent and then uses him as a stepladder to gain a boost and win the hitout.
Forwards: The Essendon forwards had all their Christmas’s come at once in round 2 thanks to an AFL best 78 forward 50 entries. Michael Hurley is the most favoured target, with 23 – the equal second most in the league behind only Travis Cloke. Hurley competes strongly in the air, so when he wasn’t marking the ball, the fleet-footed Alwyn Davey pounced. Stewart Crameri was brilliant in round 2 with six goals in three quarters before coming off injured.
Tale of the tape
Contested possessions:
R2 - Ess 151-107
Season – 296
Uncontested possessions:
R2 - Ess 299-149
Season – 494 (1st in AFL)
Clearances:
R2 – Ess 41-28
Season - 84
Contested marks:
R2 - Ess 15-12
Season - 25
Uncontested marks:
R2 – Ess 129-62
Season – 201 (1st in AFL)
Disposal efficiency:
R2 – Ess 81% Melb 67.9%
Season – 77.8% (1st in AFL)
Inside 50s:
R2 – Ess 78-28
Season – 140 (1st in AFL)
2013 STARLIGHT PURPLE HAZE GAME: Friday 12 April v Essendon at Patersons Stadium, 6.40pm bounce down. Dress in purple to WIN! Proudly supported by Fremantle Ports. Click here for more information.
