Essendon outlasted a spirited Northern Blues outfit before romping away in the last quarter to claim its fourth win on the trot by 73 points at IKON Park on Saturday.
The Bombers had the Blues at arm’s length all day. However, they couldn’t overcome the applied pressure until a final quarter deluge of 8.6 to 0.1 saw them notch another scalp, 19.14.128 to 8.7.55.
The Northern Blues’ pressure prevented the Bombers from running away with the match while Jesse Palmer (five goals) kept his side in the contest with his unerring accuracy in front of the big sticks.
A goal from Aaron Heppell just before three-quarter-time gave Essendon some breathing space and the revitalised Bombers finally wrestled the game onto their terms in the fourth quarter.
Without captain Heath Hocking, Heppell led the Bombers. He gathered 25 touches and was outstanding, but wasn’t alone as many of his teammates lifted around him.
Ben McNiece’s excellent disposal and rebound turned defence into attack, while defenders Aaron Francis and Jamieson Sheahan (22 touches each) intercepted and repelled with aplomb.
At the other end of the ground, Mitch Brown enjoyed a day out with 20 touches and four goals, ably supported by Danny Younan (three goals) and Josh Green (two).
Essendon had to fight hard in the congestions, but gained the upper hand through the rotating ruck pair Sam Draper and Matt Leuenberger.
Darcy Parish (29), Heppell (25), Francis, McNiece and Sheahan (22), Mason Redman and Trent Mynott (21) and Jackson Merrett (20) were the biggest ball-winners for the Bombers.
Coach Dan Jordan said his side showed fight in overcoming the Blues.
“I thought Hepp was terrific in terms of setting up and driving the standards,” Jordan said.
“Parish had a fair bit of it and Ben McNiece was great with his setting up and run and carry.
“Sometimes you’re trying to be ruthless. We spoke about contested ball and we were up 28 there…we knew they’ve got a lot of quality players and we would have to contain a few.
“Palmer and De Koning got on top early so we just had to knuckle down and defend well. We got a lot of opportunities but didn’t put it to the sword until the last quarter.”
The victory is Essendon’s fourth in a row and Jordan says his side is showing signs of continued improvement.
“I still think we’ve got a bit of petrol in the tank but we’re still winning and having momentum and having patches of games where we’re stringing it all together.
“The cohesion and the unity amongst the group is the pleasing thing for me, AFL and VFL players.”
Essendon will face Footscray under lights next Saturday night at VU Whitten Oval from 6pm.
ESSENDON 5.1 7.5 11.8 19.14.128
NORTHERN BLUES 3.4 4.5 8.6 8.7.55
GOALS:
Essendon – Brown 4, Younan 3, Leuenberger 2, Boyse 2, Green 2, Houlahan, Heppell, Redman, Long, Mynott, Draper.
Carlton – Palmer 5, De Koning 2, Phillips.
