Kyle Langford

The transition of Kyle Langford from half forward flanker to key midfielder took another small step forward against the Lions. He ended the match with 19 disposals and seven tackles in another encouraging display.

Langford has a nice side step that can help create space in traffic. The extra kilograms he added in the off-season are starting to benefit his game with the 20 year old’s bigger frame dishing out some strong contested work.

Taking your chances

The Bombers led the clearances (19-14), inside 50s (32-19), contested possession (73-68) and tackles (34-33) at half time but on the scoreboard the margin was only five points Essendon’s way.

The Dons kicked 4.10.34 to 4.5.29 in the opening half. In a season of upsets and lower ranked sides testing premiership fancies, not taking your opportunities can be costly.

A five goal to three third quarter gave the Dons some breathing space and when Darcy Parish kicked the first goal of the last quarter, the margin was beyond four goals.

But despite having 18 more inside 50s by game’s end the Dons left the door ajar and Brisbane were good enough to pounce storming home with a six goal to two last term.

Handball v kick

It’s hard to read too much into the kick to handball ratio in today’s game. The Western Bulldogs were lauded for the way they used the handball on their way to the 2016 premiership, while other astute judges will say ‘just get it on the boot’.

No matter what school of thought you support, there were some anomalies against the Lions. Andrew McGrath had 25 disposals, made up of 21 handballs and four kicks. Travis Colyer had two kicks and 11 handballs, Mark Baguley had three kicks and 11 handballs, while Michael Hartley had one kick and nine handballs.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti had six kicks and no handballs and actually ended the match with more tackles (seven) than disposals.

The crowd

The attendance of 41,246 was the biggest turnout for a game between Essendon and Brisbane since 2009. That night the sides clashed at the MCG with the match ending in a draw.

You have to go back to 2005 to find a bigger attendance for a game played between the two sides at Etihad Stadium. On that occasion there was a crowd of 44,055. 

A game of inches

Late in the match Conor McKenna surged forward with what is quickly becoming his signature attacking run.  The field opened up and the goals beckoned but as he took a bounce, a Lions opponent stuck out a claw brushing the Dons defender's jumper.  It was enough for the umpire to penalise McKenna for holding the ball.  To add salt to the wound, McKenna had slotted the goal.

A 50 metre penalty against Cale Hooker also proved costly.  The All Australian was ruled to have overstepped the mark.  Josh Walker was moved from the wing to inside 50 and nailed the goal bringing the Lions within striking distance and with plenty of momentum late in the match.

McGrath v McCluggage

Neither dominated. Both were impressive. And each club will be happy for many years to come.

That is the summation of the first instalment on an AFL field of Andrew McGrath v High McCluggage.

The pair was widely tipped to be the first two names called out in last November’s National Draft. McGrath was taken with the first pick, while McCluggage landed in Brisbane with the third overall selection.

Each has gone about their business with a minimum of fuss in their first season. McGrath has become a key member of the Essendon back six while McCluggage has averaged 15 possessions per game.

The Lions midfielder picked up a career-high 20 possessions against the Bombers and had a couple of chances to kick a goal. McGrath had 25 disposals, including 21 handballs. 

McGrath’s composure has been such a feature of his first season in the AFL and so it was again against the Lions. A mark in the final seconds of the third quarter as Brisbane surged forward typified McGrath’s ability to read the play. He tracked his opponent as he ran toward goal but also kept an eye on the player about to kick. When the entry into the forward 50 wasn’t properly executed, McGrath was the first to react taking an intercept mark to ensure the Dons would enter the final quarter with a handy lead.

Where to now

There is no doubt the Bombers need to make their move. The loss to the Lions sees the side slip two games out of the top eight.

A loss to the bottom placed side means discussion about a ‘good’ run home can be dismissed. The Bombers have performed well against some of the top contenders this season, but have also lost to Carlton (16^th) and now Brisbane (18^th).

With eight games to play, the Bombers probably need to win six games to make the finals, starting with a clash against rivals Collingwood on Saturday.

David Myers and Josh Begley could be among the names considered for a call-up after their impressive VFL form.