116
That was Essendon’s final score and the biggest score the Dons have kicked since round 17, 2015 (28 games ago). Five players (Orazio Fantasia, Joe Daniher, Cale Hooker, Dyson Heppell, Brent Stanton) kicked multiple goals.
78,294
In a record breaking round for the AFL, the Bombers drew the biggest crowd.
It was the Club’s biggest round one attendance since 82,363 fans watched the Bombers beat the Blues in round one, 1997. It was also the highest attendance ever for an Essendon-Hawthorn home and away game.
52
That was the differential in uncontested marks. The Bombers dominated possession (428-374) and were able to control the tempo of the game for the majority of the match.
12
It was a devastating 12-minute patch late in the third term that turned the game for the Bombers. In that period the side kicked five goals to turn a 13-point deficit into a 16-point lead.
6
The Bombers fielded six of their returning players and all had an impact.
Dyson Heppell led from the front with 34 disposals and three goals. Jobe Watson laid eight tackles and collected the ball 27 times. Michael Hurley restricted Jarryd Roughead to two goals and 12 disposals, while also gathering the ball 21 times himself. Travis Colyer used his line breaking speed to full advantage recording four running bounces (the highest of any player). Cale Hooker kicked three important goals and Brent Stanton kicked two long range goals including the last of the match.
