Brimming with new beginnings and fresh expectation, Essendon have provided their share of thrills in the first half of the 2023 season. 

Sitting sixth on the ladder with an 8-5 record after their bye weekend, let’s look back at five of the Dons’ biggest highlights so far this year. 

‘Walla’s electrifying comeback 

The playing return of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti in 2023 will inevitably etch itself into Essendon folklore.

After 588 days between AFL appearances, the fan-favourite suited up as the tactical substitute for the round one clash against Hawthorn. 

With a run of nine consecutive goals on either side of half-time, the Bombers were well positioned with a 42-point lead early in the last term when new Senior Coach Brad Scott activated his substitution. 

Entering the MCG turf to a lengthy standing ovation, the fans’ cheers soon turned to roars when McDonald-Tipungwuti found space to mark on the lead from a Zach Merrett pass, 40 metres from goal. 

Converting truly, ‘Walla’ was swarmed by his teammates in one of the season’s enduring images, kicking off the season with a bang. 

Jake’s Easter Sunday special 

Sitting at a score of 6.19 during the third quarter of their round four clash with GWS, it was going to take something special for the Dons to claim an Easter Sunday win under the roof at Marvel Stadium. 

Enter Jake Stringer.

After a strong contested mark and goal early in the final term to extend the Essendon advantage to 18 points, Stringer found possession in stride 60 metres out. 

Full of momentum and without a passing option, Stringer elected to try a running torpedo punt at goal, rarely seen even from a set shot these days. 

The 28,000-strong crowd leapt to their feet as it sailed through for a goal, providing the needed breathing room for Essendon to secure a 13-point win against a tough Giants outfit.   

Gather Round for a big scalp 

Many marked the inaugural Gather Round fixture as a proving ground for the Bombers, facing off against experienced finals campaigners Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval. 

Heading in 3-1 on the season and full of confidence, Essendon produced one of its best four-quarter performances of the year to shock the Dees to the tune of a 27-point win.

The Dons were bolstered by the ruck duo of Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips, who combined for five goals, 10 marks and 39 hit-outs in a terrific tandem effort against Brodie Grundy. 

The victory capped off a strong opening five rounds for the Bombers, who proved their credentials against one of the competition’s elite. 

Dons crack Dreamtime hoodoo 

Entering this year’s edition of Dreamtime at the ‘G off the back of four consecutive losses, as well as having lost their previous thirteen matches against Richmond, the Dons couldn’t have picked a more dramatic fashion to snap their streaks. 

Trailing 46-64 at the eight-minute mark of the final term after a Dustin Martin goal, the Bombers appeared to be on the ropes at the MCG. 

But in a flash, critical goals to Sam Durham and Jake Stringer in the space of 30 seconds flipped the game on its head, generating a raucous atmosphere amongst the 78,000 people in the building.

Still trailing by 12 points in the dying minutes, the young Bombers kept their cool, with a Jye Menzie goal keeping them afloat as the game neared its final play. 

When a composed Jordan Ridley found Mason Redman for a dashing run off the bench, it became apparent that Essendon were going to have the last say on the contest. 

Safe hands from Dyson Heppell, an unselfish Stringer centring ball, and a Durham mark in the goal square later, and the Dons had seized their moment. 

The 71-70 victory is one that will live long in the memory for Essendon fans and could serve as a defining result for the emerging side going forward.  

A King’s Birthday Eve blitz 

Having survived a major scare against North Melbourne the week prior, the Dons’ Sunday night clash with Carlton on King’s Birthday Eve was a heavily anticipated matchup leading in. 

After a tightly fought first half and some inaccurate kicking from the Blues, Essendon took full advantage of their openings to explode in the third term. 

A six-goal run, all coming in the space of only 10 minutes of play, blew out the margin to 39 points in a blistering showcase of Dons footy at its best. 

Peter Wright solidified his return with five goals, while Nic Martin continued his stellar form with another 30 disposals. 

The 86-52 victory marked Essendon’s first over the Blues since 2019 and has them well placed to build on their lively form heading into the second half of the season.

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