Early in the match it didn't appear that the Bombers goal practice during the week had paid off. The team booted 4.8 in the first quarter and looked on a similar inaccuracy path as last week against Geelong. This conversion problem was squashed early in the second term when Essendon kicked five goals in 10 minutes. With the goal surge came a handy 48-point lead.
Essendon dominated the statistics and the scoreboard in the first half. Collectively the Bombers collected 172-disposals compared to Fremantle's 126. The team was desperate and hard-at it – it was this hungry football that set-up the win. Essendon ran in numbers and with the pressure applied made Fremantle earn every single possession.
Adam McPhee starred across half-back and was clearly best on ground. The 21-year-old is quickly making a superstar out of himself with his aerial marking, courage and run he provides out of defence. McPhee' s outstanding performance was reflected on the statistics sheet – he finished with 10 marks, 11 kicks and 12 handballs.
McPhee had great support from Andrew Welsh who was also a driving force, rebounding strongly out of the back 50m. Not only did Welsh give Jeff Farmer a bath in the first half he also was attacking – he finished with 26 possessions for the match.
Another telling factor was Essendon's domination at stoppages. In his 150th game Matthew Allan destroyed Troy Sandilands in the ruck and was the catalyst to Essendon's dominance at centre clearances in the second quarter. Jason Johnson was a ball magnet and collected 19 possessions before half-time. Damien Peverill, Mark Johnson and Joe Misiti played a big part in shutting down Fremantle's playmakers – Peter Bell and Paul Hasleby.
Essendon's brilliant second term didn't follow-on in the second half. Fremantle slowed down Essendon's free flowing style in the third term. The Bombers booted the first goal in the opening minutes but it was all Fremantle on the scoreboard for the next 10 minutes when they booted four quick goals. Essendon was still in control of the match, but their intensity had markedly dropped off from the second term. With two late goals in the third term Essendon carried a 45-point buffer into the final change.
The final result may have appeared a certainty to some at three quarter time, but not to Fremantle. They continued to work hard and persist up forward. They chipped away at Essendon's 51-point lead and came within 25-points after three quick goals. Nathan Lovett-Murray booted Essendon's steadier late in the quarter to push the margin to a safe 30-points.
Despite controlling the match Essendon struggled to put Fremantle away tonight. Seven goals in the second quarter was the highlight of the match but the Bombers' couldn't sustain the intensity. The good news is that the Bombers still managed to get across the line by 30-points and the victory moves them above Fremantle on the ladder.
Other news from tonight's match: Scott Lucas was reported for allegedly engaging in unduly rough play in the first quarter. He was reported by umpire Michael Vozzo.
