Essendon has shaken off a serious case of the yips to record a 13-point win over the GIANTS Sydney on Sunday, their first win over the GIANTS since 2019.
It was a horror day in front of goal – under the Marvel Stadium roof – for the Bombers, sitting on 6.19 during the third term before straightening up in the last to push out to the 11.22 (88) to 11.9 (75) victory.
GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley ripped into his squad during the three-quarter time address, pulling the players in before they split into their line meetings, but it was the Bombers who kicked the first three goals of the fourth term after taking a six-point lead into the last break.
Quick goals from Toby Greene and Harry Himmelberg cut the margin to 13 points with four minutes remaining, but the GIANTS had left themselves with too much work to do, and Essendon hung on.
The GIANTS made a few crucial errors exiting 50 in the first quarter, but Essendon couldn't capitalise on the turnover, kicking eight consecutive behinds.
The contrast was on show down the other end of the field, with the GIANTS kicking four straight goals and looking dangerous in attack.
The home side were dominating around the contest early – Tom Green playing an impressive lone hand for the GIANTS with eight contested possessions in the first term alone (17 for the match) – and the Bombers were able to make more of their clearances.
Essendon forward Sam Weideman's day finished early in the second quarter with concussion after his head was collected by Nick Haynes' hip, as the GIANTS completed a leaping spoil.
It meant Kyle Langford was swung into attack, with Dyson Heppell sent to defence. The former skipper had been bumped out of the 22 as a late change, with ruck Andrew Phillips brought in to stretch the GIANTS' backline.
The comedy of errors in the second term was best encapsulated by Mason Redman's brainfade deep in defensive 50, attempting a quick handball without pushing back from the mark, which Callan Ward reached around (without moving his feet) to intercept and kick a goal.
Veteran Ward had a fine match, playing an impressive match in a high half-forward role, while Josh Kelly was at his classy best and Nick Haynes battled hard across half-back in an under-the-pressure defence.
ESSENDON 2.8 3.13 8.19 11.22 (88)
GIANTS 4.0 6.5 9.7 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Essendon: Stringer 4, Martin 2, Langford, Merrett, Draper, Redman, Perkins
GIANTS: Himmelberg 3, Ward 2, Kelly 2, Greene 2, Daniels, Coniglio
BEST
Essendon: Parish, Merrett, Draper, Stringer, Redman, Kelly
GIANTS: Green, Kelly, Ward, Haynes, Whitfield
INJURIES
Essendon: Weideman (concussion)
GIANTS: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Dyson Heppell (replaced Weideman in the second quarter)
GIANTS: Cooper Hamilton (replaced Conor Stone at three-quarter time)
Crowd: 28,815 at Marvel Stadium
