Essendon's VFL side has again been trumped in a shootout, suffering a 25-point loss to Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium on Sunday.
The Bombers led for 92 of the 134 minutes, holding a 22-point lead at half-time, but conceded an eight-goal final term to fall to a 17.9 (111) to 21.10 (136) defeat.
FULL STATS: PORT MELBOURNE V ESSENDON
It's the second consecutive week Essendon has scored over 100 points but failed to claim the four points, keeping it winless after four rounds.
Despite the defeat, there were positives to emerge from an AFL perspective, particularly for the Bombers' attacking stocks.
Key forward Kaine Baldwin put his name up for an Anzac Day recall, booting a game-high five goals from 12 disposals and six marks.
Goalsneak Tex Wanganeen responded to his omission with two majors, 13 disposals and four clearances, while returning tall Harry Jones looked confident with a couple of big grabs and 1.3 from 11 disposals and three marks.
Welcome back Harry Jones!
— #VFL / #VFLW (@VFL) April 17, 2022
He's taken two big grabs and hit the scoreboard early for @essendonvfl
Catch all the #VFL action: https://t.co/dBCbjKhgzz pic.twitter.com/oOuWNiPybr
At the other end, key defender Zach Reid took another step forward in his third game back from a lengthy layoff, collecting 15 disposals and seven marks.
Despite regaining captain and clearance machine Joe Atley (19 disposals, eight clearances) after his absence last week, the Bombers were again beaten in disposals (284-312) and clearances (32-51).
Brayden Ham was the only Bomber to reach 20 disposals, battling hard to also record six tackles and three clearances.
Brayden Ham puts on the jets and finds Kaine Baldwin who slots his first.
— #VFL / #VFLW (@VFL) April 17, 2022
Tune in to the #VFL: https://t.co/dBCbjKhgzz pic.twitter.com/F41dZHDbSB
Nick Bryan again dominated the hitouts, tallying 44 opposed to former St Kilda ruckman Paul Hunter.
The 20-year-old also collected 12 disposals, four marks, three tackles and three clearances.
The Bombers will be searching for their first VFL win of the season when they face Collingwood at Windy Hill from 1:05pm on Anzac Day.
PORT MELBOURNE 1.3 6.6 13.7 21.10 (136)
ESSENDON 5.3 10.4 13.6 17.9 (111)
Goals: Baldwin 5, Wanganeen 2, Anderson, Atley, Eyre, Francis, Hird, Iacobaccio, Jones, Landt, Lord, McDonald-Tipungwuti
Disposals: Ham 20, Atley 19, Fitzgerald 19, Golds 17, Landt 17, Lord 15, Reid 15
