Ben Rutten and the Bombers recorded what may go down as their most satisfying win of the season, upsetting Sydney by nine points in a thriller at the MCG.
It’s yet another surprising chapter in the strange story of Essendon’s season, but the win will once again push the doubters to the side for a week as the Bombers claim a genuine scalp in 2022.
Zach Merrett was a clear best afield, gathering his usual 24 disposals while also booting three goals in a dynamic performance.
They trailed at every term, but Essendon refused to die and the final siren signalled the sweetest of sounds for a gritty win for the club’s faithful.
Hopes were waning for the Bombers when Callum Mills put the visitors three goals up midway through the final term.
Enter Jake Stringer.
The Essendon utility had been quiet but kicked two majors in quick succession to cut the margin back to less than a kick.
Unlike the last time the two sides met, where Sydney smashed Essendon by 58 points and Luke Parker belittled Dylan Shiel, the following play was the clearest sign that Ben Rutten’s men had knuckled down on their defensive efforts.
“They will not be manhandled this time the Bombers!” Sam Hargreaves claimed in commentary for AFL Nation.
Mason Redman got the Bombers back in front to the delight of the red and black army, before Stringer hit the chest of Kyle Langford with just three minutes remaining, 30 metres out.
Langford, playing just his second game back from a hamstring injury, converted from the tough angle and Essendon had a nine-point lead.
Stringer went from hero to villain when conceding an unnecessary 50-metre kick as Chad Warner booted his third for the Swans, but Nick Hind announced himself as the hero with the final goal of the game, Essendon kicking six goals to three in the final term.
It arguably cost Carlton a win on Friday night, and one could certainly say the same thing for the MCG’s clash as Sydney finished with 12.14.
The number doesn’t read dreadfully until Essendon’s strength in front of goal is factored in, the Dons kicking just one behind as well as hitting the post once in their final score of 15.15.
Tom Papley (one goal, three behinds) was one of the chief offenders for the Swans, but his performance still had him as one of the best on the ground.
He also finished with 18 disposals and eight score involvements.
John Longmire has spoken throughout the year on addressing the Swans’ inability to counteract momentum swings, but the issue reared its head once again on Saturday afternoon.
Sydney had a three-goal advantage at quarter-time and then snaffled the first of the second term. A stunning piece of play followed as the Swans got the ball to the outside to give Tom Papley a 40-metre set shot, and at that point, there was once again little hope in for Essendon.
But in remarkable fashion, Ben Rutten’s side got on a run of five consecutive goals, only a late major to Sam Reid preventing the home side the lead at half-time.
But they would come again, controlling the majority of the third term before a late push from Sydney saw them hold the lead, this time at the final break.
One of the loudest roars of the day was reserved for Zach Merrett after the midfielder kicked the first goal of the last quarter and his third of the match, Bombers fans not often seeing grit and determination from their side in 2022.
But the loudest roar echoed around the G’ at the conclusion of the game, Bombers fans perhaps hopeful their team can reproduce such performances.
They’ve now won two of their last three, both against top eight teams, while falling to the team 17th on the ladder.
It’s far from a pretty season, but for now, those thoughts will be far from the front of mind for many.
Sydney will be in the eight come the end of Round 16, however the consistent issues seen in the loss will worry Longmire going forward.
FULL SCORE
Essendon: 2.2, 7.2, 9.3, 9.14, 15.5. (96)
Sydney : 5.2, 7.6, 9.14, 12.14. (86)
GOALS
Essendon: Merrrett 3, Wright 2, Stringer 2, Durham, Kelly, Hobbs, Jones, Hind, Redman, Heppell, Langford
Sydney : Warner 3, Franklin 2, Heeney 2, Reid 2, Papley, Hayward, Mills
BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Wright, Heppell, Hind, D’Ambrosio
Sydney : Warner, Franklin, Papley, Parker, Hickey
INJURIES
Essendon: N/A
Sydney : N/A