The Dons have been so disappointing this season that it was touch and go as to whether I could stand another humiliating afternoon at the `G.
The game starts at the ‘traditional’ time of 4.35 so I planned that all would not be lost because I could go over to the Brunswick Street Oval and watch unbeaten Fitzroy take on unbeaten Williamstown CYMS. That game started at 2.00 and a great crowd was in to watch this VAFA Premier C game of the round.
The Roy Boys jumped out of the blocks and blew Williamstown away. They had seven goals on the board before the opposition knew there was a game on, and the slaughter continued through to half time. I had to leave mid-way through the third term but I was confident that Fitzroy would prevail.
And they did, as I found out later.
On the tram to the `G. The game had a country theme and as I walked through the park I saw tractors, heard whips cracking and sheep bleating, a nice touch. Reminded me of living and teaching in farming areas a few years ago.
I entered the `G without any semblance of optimism. The Dons have been hopeless over the last three weeks, three games I could easily forget and I’m sure I will. Yet, as I took my seat, the chap sitting next to me, obviously a Geelong supporter, told me he was very worried about today’s game. I told him not to worry Essendon would have trouble beating any Under 12 footy team.
Much to my delight and surprise, the boys came out firing – about as hot as the Roy Boys. They swarmed all over Geelong and when they had the ball they kicked or hand passed to team mates, and when they didn’t, they tackled and harassed, non-stop. The Dons had winners in Shaun McKernan up front, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell and David Zaharakis, they were in everything. The whole side looked great, no backward or sideways kicking or handballing, I was feeling great, unlike my neighbour. “I told you so,” he said.
The mighty Dons continued with this great brand of footy throughout the second quarter and by half time they had a seven goal lead. They looked the better side by far, but all sorts of things can happen in the second half and Essendon’s third quarters this year leave a lot to be desired.
My fears were unfounded, though, as the Don’s added 1.5 to Geelong’s 1.2. I couldn’t find too many Geelong winners at the citrus break, while Essendon had solid contributors all over the ground, they were doing everything with a newfound positivity.
Geelong seemed to emerge from their hibernation in the last quarter, but it was too little far too late. The Dons were deserved winners by 34 points. It makes you ask: why the sudden change. On today’s form they look like a top footy team. As I pondered that dilemma, my Geelong neighbour shook my hand and wished me good luck for the rest of the season.
A very nice touch.
Essendon 12.12 84 defeated Geelong 7.8.50
Goals
Essendon: Mckernan 4, Fantasia 2 McKenna, Heppell, Stewart, Stringer, Baguley. Guelfi
Geelong: Hawkins 3, Dangerfield 2, J Selwood, Crameri<
Best players
Essendon: Merrett, McKernan, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Zaharakis, Baguley, Heppell, Hooker and the other 17 players.
Geelong: Tuohy (loved his long sleeves after half time) Duncan, Dangerfield, Crameri, J Selwood.
Umpires: Schmidt, Hay, Whetton.
Crowd: 50,228 at the MCG.