Essendon are now 2-0 on the season after taking care of Gold Coast 108-80 at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In Brad Scott’s second game in charge against a side that has finals aspirations, the Bombers were impressive as they got the better of their opponents in a fast, seesawing game.
The game’s pace for the opening three terms was that the visitors would get on top early before the Dons often clawed their way back late, with Essendon kicking six goals to three after the 20-minute mark of the opening three quarters.
While the Suns started fast for much of the match, that flipped in the last quarter as the Bombers came out breathing fire in the last term to kick the opening two goals of the quarter and ultimately bridge enough of a gap to hold on to win.
Entering the game without a player with 100 goals to their name, the Bombers needed to find an avenue to the big sticks and that came through Kyle Langford.
The 26-year-old had a career day inside 50, booting five goals to go with his 14 disposals and seven marks, while midfielders Dylan Shiel (two goals) and Will Setterfield (one goal) chipped in to help Essendon’s small fleet kick a winning score.
AFL nation’s Josh Jenkins credited Langford’s big performance as the biggest reason behind Essendon’s win.
“It was a fantastic game of footy, first and foremost, we saw numerous lead changes throughout the game,” Jenkins said.
“But you probably felt Essendon - particularly here - were going to find a way to get on top.
“I loved their midfielders and Kyle Langford standing up as a pseudo-key forward was the difference in the game, if you want to be as simple as that.
“His game was ultimately the thing that separated these two teams.”
On-ball, Setterfield continued to impress in his second game for the club with 28 disposals to go with his major, while Shiel (27 disposals), Darcy Parish (30 disposals), Zach Merrett (31 disposals) and Mason Redman (22 disposals) were typically prolific.
For Gold Coast, captain Touk Miller tried to will his side over the line with 31 disposals while Sam Collins was a rock in defence with 11 marks.
Ultimately, the Suns were struck down by a lack of cohesion between their midfield and forward groups as Ben King was only able to muster two goals as Gold Coast continually kicked to his defender’s advantage or out of his reach.
The Suns are still yet to beat the Bombers in Melbourne with their record against Essendon now two wins, one draw and 11 losses from 14 matchups.
The unbeaten Dons now sit in fourth after their percentage took a hit and they’ll go in search of their third win from three games when they meet an unbeaten St Kilda side at the MCG on Saturday night.
In a similarly crucial game, Gold Coast host Geelong as both teams go in search of their first win of the season on Sunday afternoon as both sides look to avoid the dreaded 0-3 tag.
FULL SCORE
Essendon: 3.4, 7.6, 11.6, 16.12. (108)
Gold Coast: 3.2, 6.6, 10.12, 11.14. (80)
GOALS
Essendon: Langford 5, Shiel 2, Menzie 2, Guelfi 2, Setterfield, Phillips, Perkins, Martin, Davey Jnr
Gold Coast: King 2, Casboult 2, Witts, Sexton, Lukosius, Jeffrey, Hollands, Fiorini, Ainsworth
BEST
Essendon: Kyle Langford, Dylan Shiel, Will Setterfield, Mason Redman, Zach Merrett
Gold Coast: Touk Miller, Sam Collins, Matt Rowell, Lachie Weller
INJURIES
Essendon: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (ankle)
Gold Coast: N/A