James Hird has a young and developing forward trio which all coaches would crave: Michael Hurley, Scott Gumbleton and Stewart Crameri. But even Hird has admitted when the three don't quite work in sync, the Bombers can be susceptible to rebound. In the first half against the Cats it didn't quite work, with Gumbleton (three possessions), Hurley (four) and Crameri (five) the lowest ball-winners for their side. All three come into the game more in the second half. Nevertheless, it was the Bombers' wastefulness which was most impactful. While the Cats were clinical and methodical when moving forward, the Bombers were sloppy near goal. In the third term, the Bombers kicked 1.9 to Geelong’s 6.2.
2. Another new Cat
Since the Cats won the 2011 premiership, it has been clear coach Chris Scott moved quickly onto planning for the next flag assault. And much of that has been built on youth. On Friday, Geelong's first pick from last year's draft, Jackson Thurlow, made his AFL debut, becoming the 12th debutant at the club since the 2011 Grand Final. Thurlow avoided the substitute's green vest – generally part of the first-gamer's rite of passage – and provided a few runs out of defence where his pace and No.40 guernsey made him look like retired Cat David Wojcinski. He finished with 17 disposals in an impressive start.
3. No easy ride for Geelong
Everyone expected ruckman Paddy Ryder to return straight into the Bombers' side after serving his three-game suspension, but Essendon resisted including another tall. It seemed a strange decision, particularly given the Cats' inexperience in the ruck. But the Bombers had faith in Tom Bellchambers for a reason. In the first half, as Essendon broke out to a steady lead, it was all starting in the centre and the big ruckman. Essendon comfortably won both totals at the end of the game (an advantage of six hit-outs and 19 clearances) but the Cats found other ways to make an imprint, through run, and creativity and the brilliance of Steve Johnson.
4. Trouble for Kelly?
James Kelly will have a nervous wait over the next couple of days after a big hit on Brendon Goddard in the third term. Immediately after a heavy marking contest with young Cat Jordan Schroder, Goddard was in the middle of a pack when Kelly stormed through, left the ground and collected Goddard with a high bump. Goddard was momentarily floored and got back up soon after, and didn’t need a spell on the bench. Kelly, who has a bad match review panel record after being suspended late last year, will be hoping the MRP clear him of the contact.
5. History doesn't repeat
And it probably never will, given we're talking about the famous Paul Salmon and Gary Ablett Sr shootout of 1993. Marking two decades since the clash – when Salmon kicked 10 goals and Ablett booted 14 as Essendon beat the Cats – it was fitting the two clubs entered Friday night’s meeting unbeaten and playing brilliant football. Essendon's new-look tight defence (the best in the competition before the round) was always likely to prohibit an open, end-to-end game. The full forwards in this contest – Tom Hawkins and Scott Gumbleton – combined for four goals, not a shade on the Ablett-Salmon combination of 24.
