5

For the fifth time this season Michael Hurley recorded 30 or more disposals. His 34 possessions against the Crows is a career-best for the All Australian defender.

Hurley is averaging 25.4 disposals per game this season. His previous best average in a season was 21.3 in 2015. The 27 year old is also averaging career-highs for marks and rebounds from the defensive 50 (a category he leads the competition in).

12

Cale Hooker has booted 12 goals in his last four matches. He’s had 21 shots at goal in that time and is now in 13th spot overall in the AFL’s leading goal kicker race.

With Joe Daniher (59 goals – 2nd overall) and Orazio Fantasia (38 goals – 14th overall), the Bombers join Adelaide as the only clubs with three players in the top 14 goal kickers.

39

That’s how long there was left in third quarter when the Bombers had the momentum having booted the last four goals in the game to draw within 20 points. But despite the limited time on the clock, the Crows still managed to kick two goals to take a 32-point lead and re-take the momentum heading into the last change.

50

Brodie Smith and Rory Laird are among the most damaging running defenders in the competition. They combined for 50 possessions against the Bombers and two goals.

7

Andrew McGrath did an excellent job on Eddie Betts restricting the dynamic Crows forward to just seven possessions and one behind. McGrath ended the night with 25 disposals (seven contested), eight marks and five rebounds from the defensive 50. It’s just the second time Betts has been kept goalless in his last 33 games and his lowest possession count since 2014.

10

Essendon is in tenth spot on the ladder with two home and away matches remaining. The three teams immediately above the Bombers (Melbourne, West Coast and Western Bulldogs) are on 44 points (four points clear of the Bombers) and occupy positions seven, eight and nine on the ladder. 

To qualify for the finals, the Dons need to win both of their remaining matches and hope at least two of those three sides lose at least one of their remaining matches.