Despite the introduction of a handful of senior-listed Bombers to the side that played in Morwell last week, the Giants were too strong and did exactly what was expected of a side that, heading into its fourth AFL season, expects plenty of itself.
Although pre-season contests can invariably be taken with little significance – particularly ones involving Essendon this year – the Giants showed their scoring power in the 0.14.13 (97) to 0.8.4 (52) win.
In an imposing showing, the Giants at times had four talls inside their forward-50: a rotation involving ruckman Shane Mumford, the athletic Adam Tomlinson, straight-kicking Cam McCarthy, developing James Stewart and star Jeremy Cameron.
Cameron was perhaps the only lowlight of the night for the Giants, after he was substituted out of the game in the second half with concussion. Close to the main break, the All Australian forward won a free kick after a heavy tackle, but in the process he was collected in the jaw.
The 21-year-old lined up and slotted his shot from the 50-metre line, but did not return after half-time after undergoing a concussion test.
Although the addition of a handful of senior players – including stand-in captain Brendon Goddard, midfielder David Zaharakis and recruit Adam Cooney – boosted Essendon's team, James Hird's men were unable to keep up with the hard-running and slick Giants.
With nearly half of the club's list unavailable as it awaits the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal's verdict, the Bombers struggled for fluency when moving the ball into attack and their inexperienced backline was under the pump throughout the contest.
The Bombers were more competitive in the third term, when they kicked four goals, but the absence of many key midfielders made it difficult at the stoppages, where the Giants took control.
Essendon could manage only 26 clearances to 43, and sent the ball inside 50 about half the amount of times of the Giants (55 to 30).
Of the standouts for the Bombers, youngster Jason Ashby again gave solid drive off half-back, Zach Merrett showed his shift into the midfield will be a near permanent role, and Kyle Langford did enough in glimpses to excite Essendon supporters about his future in the forward half.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Greater Western Sydney: Stephen Coniglio might be about to hit his straps. Although the Giants would have entered the game feeling good about their chances against the makeshift Bombers outfit, they still needed to get the job done. For Coniglio it was a chance to ramp up his preparations for the regular season after an injury-interrupted 2014. The speedy midfielder dominated through the midfield and finished with 19 disposals and a goal.
Essendon: Joe Daniher's hard work over summer improving his technique kicking for goal has paid some early dividends. After kicking 28.20 last year and spraying a few shots at goal, Daniher was mentored over pre-season by goalkicking great Matthew Lloyd in a bid to improve his accuracy. Daniher's first two shots at goal – one from in front and another from the pocket – sailed through nicely and the 21-year-old appeared to have a tighter routine. The only downside for Daniher was his report for striking in the final quarter.
NEW FACES
Greater Western Sydney: Jake Barrett played his first game for the club after missing out last year and started as the substitute. The midfielder came on in the third quarter and got a taste for things with five disposals. Jack Steele again showed he seems a likely senior player in his first season after kicking two goals from 11 disposals and using his size and skill through the wing. The 19-year-old already shapes as a draft bargain after the Giants secured him as an academy player with pick 24 at last year's NAB AFL Draft.
Essendon: It was a chance for some of the club's new old faces to don the red and black colours for the first time, with Adam Cooney showing some good signs in the opening term. The former Western Bulldog collected eight touches in the first quarter and generated some buzz whenever he had the ball. Ex-Saints defender James Gwilt had a nervy moment early when his sprayed kick across goal resulted in a Giants goal, but he settled after that against some taller opponents. Both Cooney and Gwilt finished with 20 disposals.
GWS 0.5.3 0.10.6 0.14.9 0.14.13 (97)
ESSENDON 0.1.0 0.2.2 0.6.3 0.8.4 (52)
SUPERGOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Essendon: Nil
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: McCarthy 3, Lamb, Palmer, Steele 2, Cameron, Coniglio, Smith, Stewart, Tomlinson
Essendon: Daniher, Langford 2, Ambrose, Ashby, Jones, Petrenko
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Shaw, Treloar, Greene, Coniglio, McCarthy, Whitfield
Essendon: Dalgleish, Gwilt, Ashby, Cooney, Brown, Daniher
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Jeremy Cameron (concussion)
Essendon: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Tom Downie replaced Jeremy Cameron in the third quarter; Jake Barrett replaced Shane Mumford in the third quarter.
Essendon: Orazio Fantasia replaced Shaun McKernan in the third quarter; James Magner replaced Mitch Clisby in the fourth quarter
Reports: Joe Daniher (Essendon) reported for striking Phil Davis (GWS) in the fourth quarter.
