The Bombers had 13 goalkickers in the 1.16.14 (119) to 0.4.4 (28) win, anddominated every aspect of the game only two weeks from their season-openingmeeting with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
James Hird's men had 157 more disposals, 20 more clearances, and sent the ballinside their forward 50 a staggering 34 more times than their younger and lessexperienced opponents at Manuka Stadium on Friday night.
The only sour point for the Bombers seemed to be an ankle injury to starforward Michael Hurley in the last quarter.
Hurley, already with a strapped quad from last week, limped off the ground andreceived attention from the club's medical staff, but he did return later inthe quarter and appeared unimpeded.
For most Bombers it was their last chance to prepare for the home and awaycampaign, with only a few players (including injured midfielder DavidZaharakis) likely to take part in a VFL practice match next week.
But the result against the Giants was hardly a surprise considering therelative strength of the squads.
Giants' tall forward pair Jonathon Patton and Jeremy Cameron didn't play, andfirst-choice players Dom Tyson, Chad Cornes, Jonathan Giles, Matt Buntine,Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Gilham, Devon Smith and Will Hoskin-Elliott were alsomissing.
Essendon made the most of its advantage. The Bombers got their hands on theball more and used it as a strong opportunity to fine-tune their game plan.
Perhaps more importantly the Bombers will take a healthy dose of confidencefrom the Canberra trip after a disappointing loss to Richmond at Wangarattalast week.
Jobe Watson was prolific in his second game back from a minor knee injury, withlast year's Brownlow medallist collecting 31 disposals in a best-on-groundshowing.
Dyson Heppell also showed he has the tools to move permanently into themidfield this season with 21 possessions before being subbed off in the thirdquarter.
The forward line worked better. Just last week Hird admitted the structure ofthree tall targets – Hurley, Paddy Ryder and Stewart Crameri – could be susceptibleif they were not working in sync.
Ryder was prominent against the Giants with 21 touches and three goals, whileHurley attacked the ball harder on the lead and appeared more comfortable asthe game wore on, finishing with five marks.
There were few highlights for the Giants. Dylan Shiels sped away from a fewpacks and Sam Frost kicked two goals, but it was a much different side to theone which will take on the Sydney Swans on March 30.
What it means: Not a lot, really. The proverbial pre-season gamewhere one team is resting a group of key players and the other is playing afull-strength side makes it a difficult one to assess. No doubt the Bomberslooked cleaner and sharper than at any stage of the pre-season, but the Giantswere even younger than they usually are.
What they said: "Essendonbrought one of their best sides and we've got to look at players who we want toeventually be in our best side. I think in the end it's all about playingagainst the Swans in round one. That's what our focus is." – GWScoach Kevin Sheedy
"We needed some quality football.I thought we performed reasonably well in the first [round of the] NAB Cup, weweren't happy with last week. Richmond really dominated us throughout the gameand we weren't able to defend them well enough. Our focus tonight was to go inand be good defensively." - Essendon coach James Hird
Fantasy snapshot: Bombers captain Jobe Watson (midfielder, $579,400) wasrusty against the Tigers last week in his first game back from injury, but hestepped things up a few gears against the Giants. With 31 disposals and twogoals, Watson amassed 120 AFL Fantasy points. After averaging 112.45 pointslast year, there seems no sign Watson won't be one of the top players again in 2013.
ESSENDON 1.5.5 1.9.7 1.12.8 1.16.14 (119)
SUPERGOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Essendon: Goddard
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Frost 2, O'hAilpin, Palmer
Essendon: Ryder 3, Hocking 2, Watson 2, Baguley, Bellchambers, Davey, Hibberd, Hooker, Howlett, Kavanagh, Merrett, Myers
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Adams, Coniglio, Greene, Shiel, Plowman, Treloar
Essendon: Watson, Ryder, Heppell, Stanton, Hibberd, Myers, Bellchambers, Goddard, Hocking
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Ward (head), O'Rourke (leg)
Essendon: Hurley (ankle)
Reports: Heath Hocking (Essendon) reported for head high contact on Tomas Bugg (GWS)
Official crowd: 8,044 at Manuka Oval
