41

That was the tackle differential across the four quarters. The Cats controlled the clearances and contested possession but the Dons were able to apply heavy pressure on the ball carrier. At half time, they led the tackle count 52-13 and at the final siren had laid 81 tackles to 40. 

12 

Zach Merrett is one of the leading possession winners in the AFL and he was at his prolific best on the weekend with another 33 disposals. But his defensive game was also on-song, with Merrett laying 12 tackles, six more than any other player on the ground. 

8

The Bombers side against the Cats featured eight players aged 23 or younger and all played a part in the final result. Joe Daniher was best on ground, Michael Hartley took on Tom Hawkins, James Stewart and Orazio Fantasia kicked three goals each, Conor McKenna and Andrew McGrath provided drive off half back and Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish gathered plenty of the ball in the midfield.

21 

Joe Daniher has now kicked 21 goals this season. If he maintains his form he’s on track for more than 50 goals this season. Matthew Lloyd was the last Essendon played to kick more than 50 goals in a season. He booted 62 in 2008.

6

Essendon had lost its last six games against the Cats heading into Saturday night’s match. The most recent victory was in 2011, when a goal to Jake Melksham secured the win for the Bombers.

57,172

That’s how many fans were at the ground to see the second instalment of the Country Festival. It’s the highest attendance for an Essendon home game against Geelong since 1999. On that night, the Bombers won by 33 points with Matthew Lloyd and Dean Rioli kicking five goals each.