The backline

If there was one positive to emerge from the territorial dominance of Richmond, it was the ability of the defensive group to continually withstand and repel their forward thrusts. The ball went into the Bombers defensive 50 71 times but the side only gave up 11 goals.

Michael Hurley (eight rebounds), Mark Baguley (six rebounds, nine one percenters), Matt Dea (five rebounds, six one percenters), Michael Hartley (12 one percenters) and Brendon Goddard (five rebounds), who worked back from the midfield, were resolute in the back half.

Andrew McGrath

The number one draft pick collected 26 possessions and delivered the ball at 81 per cent efficiency in another accomplished performance. McGrath is now averaging 20 possessions, four marks, three tackles, three rebounds and two inside 50s across the season. He is also second for intercept possessions at Essendon this season behind Michael Hurley.

Brendon Goddard

After the Dons six goal opening term Brendon Goddard was the best man on the ground. By the first change he had 13 possessions and two goals. Goddard finished the match with 28 disposals and his efficiency rating of 93 per cent was all the more impressive given the spate of Dons turnovers throughout the match.

Ahead of his 300^th match this weekend, Goddard leads the Club in clearances this season and is second for score involvements, contested possessions and disposals. 

Conor McKenna

The 21 year old has displayed plenty of encouraging signs in recent weeks. He collected 18 disposals against Richmond including seven contested possessions. Pleasingly his efficiency was 100 per cent. His weaving runs are becoming more common and his ability to find targets by hand and foot when there is seemingly little space or angle to work with is also on the improve.

David Zaharakis

In the last three weeks Zaharakis has collected 31, 31 and 35 possessions with the zip and end to end running of the best and fairest winner on display.

He adds skill and dash to the Essendon midfield and can also go forward and kick a goal.  That skill-set makes him a valuable asset to the side moving forward.

The task ahead 

The loss to Richmond has Essendon back in the pack and among a number of sides trying to break into the top eight. The Bombers are 11^th on the ladder, but just one win out of fourth position highlighting the evenness of the season. With two trips to Sydney to take on the Giants and Swans and a game against Port Adelaide in between, the next month will have a large influence on the Dons finals chances.