Essendon VFL has held off a fast-finishing Collingwood outfit by 37 points to continue its unbeaten start to 2019. 

The top-of-the-table Bombers kicked a six-goal-to-one second term, ultimately sealing the 15.12 (102) to 9.11 (65) Anzac win at Windy Hill on Saturday afternoon.

Essendon got on the board early through a Jayden Laverde goal just two minutes in, before some hard running from Kyle Langford (25 disposals, one goal) set up Jordan Houlahan (10 disposals, three goals) with a shot of his own.

Things turned sour when Laverde came off late in the first with a hamstring complaint, but being one down on rotations early didn’t seem to phase the boys.

The Bombers weren’t afraid of taking the game on by using the corridor to their advantage, which worked a treat for them in the first half. 

Irving Mosquito (one goal) was a prime example, using his speed to not only close in on his opponents, but to create space and opportunities inside 50.

Essendon had immense pressure across the ground and set up well behind the ball, which left Collingwood struggling to get past the centre circle. 

Down by 52 points at the main break, the Magpies were able to turn things around and outscore the Bombers in the second half.

But their chase had been left too late, as Essendon responded to the challenge by matching each of Collingwood’s fourth-quarter goals with one of its own.

Anzac Medal winner Ben McNiece (26 disposals) defended well across half-back, while Nino Lazzarro (14 disposals) and Sam Draper (18 disposals, 47 hit-outs) also had a good impact on the game.

Vice-captain Danny Younan (19 disposals) was brilliant around stoppages, while Dylan Clarke (24 disposals, one goal) and Langford made great decisions and used the footy well. 

Senior coach Dan Jordan was impressed with the club’s start to the season, which now reads as three wins from as many games and first position on the ladder. 

“We’re really happy with the three games we’ve played. Our first half was exceptional today in terms of how we moved the ball and our pressure around the contest,” Jordan said. 

“To Collingwood’s credit, they lifted after half-time and really challenged us in the second half.

“It was probably the first time we’ve been challenged in that area, so it was good to see our boys build into a more basic, contested type of footy and respond to that.”

Jordan said the boys were “keen on asserting their authority early”, and if the scoreboard at the main break was anything to go by, they were successful in doing so. 

“(I think our early dominance) stemmed from our work around the contest, our work on the outside and being able to get some clearances, and also having some smart ball use and converting,” he said. 

“Benny (McNiece) was outstanding across half-back, he’s been building into some really nice form and has progressively been getting better every week. I’m happy to see him put in a really solid game.” 

Looking ahead, Jordan acknowledged it was still early days in “the long season”. 

“We’ve got some really good sides coming up in the next month, so we’ll definitely find out a bit more about our group during that period,” he said.

Essendon VFL has another seven-day turnaround before facing Geelong in a curtain-raiser to the Country Game at 11:50am on Sunday, May 5 at the MCG. 


The VFL Bombers sing the song at Windy Hill after their solid win over the Pies. (Photo: Ben Johnstone)

ESSENDON 4.3 10.8 11.9 15.12 (102)
COLLINGWOOD 1.4 2.4 6.9 9.11 (65)

Goals: Houlahan 3, Begley, Francis 2, Berry, Clarke, Ham, Heppell, Langford, Laverde, McKenna, Mosquito.

Disposals: McNiece 26, Langford 25, Clarke 24, Younan 19, Draper 18.

Brooke Varney is in the final year of her Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree at RMIT University. As part of their strategic partnership, Essendon Football Club and RMIT University are committed to providing opportunities for students, staff, players and the wider community.