In 2019 we will be looking back on five key lessons to take away from every Bombers match, thanks to RMIT.

This time we look into the Bombers’ thrilling comeback defeat of Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.

1. Stringer’s value is still rising

No one creates more out of their possessions than Jake Stringer. He had 15 disposals against the Suns and he made them count.

He was freakish on Sunday and not for the first time this year. Despite battling illness throughout the week leading up to the important game, Stringer was ready to play and took on the challenge to turn the momentum of the game by the scruff of the neck.

The Dons needed a spark on the ball and he provided that, blasting through the contest with unstoppable strength and energy to claim four centre clearances including his remarkable bombing sealer from well inside the centre square in the final seconds of the match.

He also had a game-high 508 metres gained, his biggest return since round 22 in 2015 as a Bulldog, to go with eight score involvements.

‘X-factor’ gets thrown around a lot these days, but it perfectly describes the star Bomber; he finds his way out of trouble in the packs, has the confidence to fly for a mark of the year attempt and makes impossible goals possible. Oh, and he can do all of that in just one passage of play.

Need a goal? Kick it to Stringer. Need a clearance? Send him into the guts. He really can be a coach’s dream and, scarily, he’s only 25 years old with plenty of football ahead of him.

2. McKernan and Brown are the perfect odd couple

They may not be a regulation key forward duo, but Shaun McKernan and Mitch Brown have struck some very good form together. 

The pair kicked seven goals between them against the Suns, complementing each other in a terrific display of teamwork.

Brown’s work rate is well documented as he consistently sits atop the list for total distance covered during games, pushing up the ground to open up space behind him and provide a crucial link through the middle of the ground.

His three goals at Metricon Stadium took his tally from the last three weeks to nine goals and he just continues to impress by understanding his role and executing it on the big stage.

McKernan is one of the side’s most important players, particularly in the absence of injured forward Joe Daniher. He is a powerful target with a seriously sticky pair of hands most key forwards would kill to have.

He had a season-high 22 hitouts last week against Adelaide when forced to spend much more time than usual in the ruck, but the return of Zac Clarke on Sunday saw him take advantage of greater opportunities in the forward line.

He was almost unbeatable in the air pulling in a career-high six contested marks and only two players (Bulldog Aaron Naughton and Saint Josh Bruce) have taken more in a single game this year.

He also had seven score involvements including his four goals and an equal season-high 11 contested possessions, highlighting his ability to battle strongly in the clinches.

3. The Bombers are just never out of it

Round 15 vs GWS – 19 points behind, 12 minutes into the final term.
Round 16 vs Sydney – Nine points – one minute into the last.
Round 17 vs North Melbourne – 20 points, 17 minutes into the first.
Round 18 vs Adelaide – 30 points, 27 minutes into the second.
Round 19 vs Gold Coast – 27 points, 11 minutes into the third.

It has come to the point where opposition sides are well aware of how hard it is to put the Bombers away and that makes them a very dangerous opponent.

Being able to get into your opponent’s head is a valuable asset and I’m not sure you would ever feel comfortable in the lead against Essendon.

But being the supposed ‘Comeback Kings’ comes with its own challenges. While every team would be thrilled to be able to chase down its opponents and close out games with such success, no team would choose to be chasing.

It’s not easy to play catch up footy, no matter how good you are at it, and finding that in-game consistency has been a key focal point for Essendon in recent weeks.

In saying that, there’s no doubt that it’s seriously exciting to watch the Bombers charge home with a barnstorming finish and defibrillator salespeople certainly wouldn’t have any complaints about the club’s season.

4. The Dons can still crack the ton

The Bombers earned over 100 points on Sunday for the first time since round five in the Kick for the Kids game against North Melbourne – exactly 100 days on. In fact, the Dons’ 12.5 second half was the biggest of their season as they closed out the game impressively.

These days you don’t need to raise the bat to win the majority of your games, so when you do get to 100 you’re increasingly likely to succeed.

McKernan and Brown’s ability to work so well in tandem was crucial and their ability to crash the packs and bring the ball to ground was also vital in reaching what is now a rather rare milestone.

Stringer is playing as well as ever, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is flying and the team’s onballers are hitting the scoreboard.

I’m sure the team will take plenty of confidence out of its ability to boot a big score and I imagine not many opponents would want to face a side with such a versatile forward line firing and its midfield proving damaging.

5. The handball is underrated

In round 17, Jayden Laverde’s evasion and handball under extreme pressure allowed McDonald-Tipungwuti to kick his sensational winning goal.

Against Adelaide, young gun Darcy Parish displayed his sensational skills with two golden handballs in the final term, one at each of the ground – first attacking the ball like a mad man and handling it cleanly to get it out of defence, the second to set up Zach Merrett’s important first goal.

This week it was Dylan Shiel’s turn. The Dons were two points down with one minute and 21 seconds left on the clock. The classy recruit was under extreme pressure on the back flank, but he sneakily sold some candy before firing off a stunning no-look handball over his shoulder to Adam Saad.

Saad popped it over the top to McDonald-Tipungwuti who just did what he does in a face-melting play to get it to Cale Hooker and the rest is history.

If Shiel missed the handball the Bombers may well have suffered a painful defeat, but the team’s confidence in each other is sky high and it’s beautiful to watch when it comes together.