The VFL Bombers suffered a disappointing loss yesterday afternoon, as they fell to the Casey Scorpions by 33 points at Windy Hill.
The score didn’t quite reflect the poor performance of the Dons after the main break.
It was a third quarter where the Scorpions were unstoppable– they piled on seven goals in devastating style, while the Bombers could manage just two behinds.
Coach Paul Corrigan was disappointed with the third term, admitting he believed his team was well and truly in the game at the main break.
“We weren’t playing our best footy up to half time, but we were obviously still in the game.
“I think the most disappointing aspect was when Casey started to get that run on, we couldn’t change our ways and just allowed them to play the way they wanted to.
“They transitioned the ball really well and played to their strengths and that’s why they kicked the goals they did.”
Kyle Hardingham scored the Bombers’ fifth goal 17 minutes into the second quarter, but it took until the 15th minute of the final quarter for the Dons to score their sixth after the avalanche of Casey goals.
Still, Corrigan was pleased Essendon played out the final quarter, as they outscored Casey 5.6 to 3.1.
“The group did come together at three-quarter time, and I thought they did fight it out better in the last quarter.
“It was a little too late, but it’s obviously pleasing to see that they are fighting out the game and they didn’t give in at three-quarter time, so that’s one positive aspect.
“It would have been nice to see that style of play in that third quarter and take it right up to Casey, but hopefully they will learn from it and come out next week and play a better brand of footy.”
Essendon will look to bounce back on the road this weekend when they travel to Piranha Park to tackle the Coburg Lions.
Essendon 10.14 (74) defeated by Casey Scorpions 16.11 (107)
Goals:
Essendon: K. Hardingham 3, A. McLeod 2, S. Edwards 2, O. Fantasia, J. Long, J. Schroder
Casey: M. Gawn 3, P. Pattison 3, W. Petropoulos 2, J. Harmes 2, T. Smith 2, E. Morris, T. Muir, S. Byrnes , J. Hutchins
Best:
Essendon: K. Hardingham, O. Fantasia, N. O''Brien, E. Kavanagh, A. Steinberg, J. Ashby
Casey: A. Riley, J. Fitzpatrick, M. Jones, R. Bail, E. Panozza, M. Gent
