Essendon has got its year off a winning start after seeing off a scare from a young Hawthorn outfit at the MCG.
In front of 73,805 fans bathed in sun at the ‘G, the Bombers took their chances to pull away from Hawthorn late by 24 points, triumphing 17.5 (107) to 11.17 (83).
After an out-and-out battle in the first half, it was the likes of Archie Perkins (24 disposals, 12 tackles, two goals) and Zach Merrett (31 touches, six clearances) who lifted late to prove Essendon too good.
Hawthorn will lose no admirers with their gallant loss however, with Sam Mitchell’s men showing plenty to get excited about over the coming season. But in the end, a decimated backline saw 17 goals go over the heads.
See our player grades below:
Essendon
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Andrew McGrath – A+
Ran his heart out all day and set up a lot of Essendon’s offence from the back half. He’s so important to the way Essendon play.
Archie Perkins – A
Perkins was at is attacking best on Saturday, he had plenty of score involvements along with two goals himself. Those attacking midfielders are worth gold these days and Perkins played the role to perfection on the 'G today.
Zach Merrett – A
Once Hawthorn’s Finn Maginness was named as the sub, you knew Merrett was going to find plenty of the pill and he did just that! You can’t afford to let him have it on a string like he did because he’s one of the best users of the footy in the game.
Matt Guelfi - A-
Got the Bombers rolling with the first of the game and took the role of antagonizing James Sicily for much of the clash, which he nailed. Two goals from 12 possessions and four goal assists.
Will Setterfield – B+
Setterfield is a crucial member of Essendon’s midfield as he provides size and grunt. He was very clean on Saturday by hand and kept Jai Newcombe quiet around the stoppages.
Dyson Heppell – B+
Played the back flank role to perfection, his ball use was on show this afternoon and he provided a sense of calm when the Hawks were coming.
Jake Stringer – B+
Definitely one of Stringer's better games for some time, he played with plenty of confidence and hit the scoreboard at big moments. He is the energy provider for the Bombers.
Ben McKay – B
Not much to report on McKay in his first game for the Bombers, but did enjoy seven intercepts and beat Mitch Lewis.
Jake Kelly – B
Started on the wing, then switched back and helped out on Mitch Lewis.
Sam Durham – B
Durham showed his class today in the midfield and kicked a crucial goal in the final quarter, he’s very important as he provides real polish in the guts.
Peter Wright - C+
Only the eight touches but hard to argue he didn’t play his role with the two goals.
Mason Redman – C+
22 disposals at 77 per cent efficiency was a workman-like performance from Redman. He’s a star of the comp and will no doubt play better games this year.
Todd Goldstein – C+
Was the lone soldier in the ruck for the Bombers and he won the hit-outs convincingly over Ned Reeves. 41 hit-outs in his first game for his new club was a great return. Won’t be easy for Sam Draper to get his ruck position back.
Kyle Langford – C+
Didn’t get much of the footy but kicked three big goals, if you give him a sniff in front of goal he’ll make you pay!
Nic Martin – C+
Had a really good first half with his clean skills a highlight but was a bit quieter in the third and fourth quarter.
Jye Caldwell - C+
A couple moments he’d want back, but 13 possessions and a goal is a tidy outing. Seven tackles shows his hunt for the contest.
Jade Gresham – C
Provided a spark as a small forward but didn’t find enough of the footy. Kicked a big goal in the final quarter to all but seal the win.
Jye Menzie – C
Had no impact on the game but didn’t do anything wrong, he needs to lay more than one tackle as a small forward, however.
Elijah Tsatas – C
Only spent 49 minutes out of 124 on the ground after coming on as the sub, impressed to get 12 possessions.
Xavier Duursma - C-
His first game in Bombers colours, Duursma showed signs he could get back to his best at Tullamarine. Only the 12 touches, though, and no impact. 26 metres gained.
Harrison Jones – D
Had absolutely zero impact in this win, Jones had just the four touches and one mark in a poor performance as a key forward in perfect conditions.
Zach Reid – N/A
Subbed off with a hamstring injury at half-time.
Hawthorn
Dylan Moore - A
Overcame a bought of glandular fever to feature in Round 1 and play a big role, both through the midfield and forward line.
Massimo D’Ambrosio - A
D’Ambrosio also enjoyed a blinder in his first outing as a Hawk. Potentially a career best game, he found a great niche off half-back and rarely wasted a possession.
Jack Ginnivan - A
Who left ‘Ginni’ out of the conversation for the best new recruit? The new Hawk showed the competition what he can do with 17 possessions and two goals to be the Hawks’ best player. Faded out after a knee knock in the third.
James Worpel - A
Was the toughest player on the ground on Saturday afternoon, collecting a clear game high 19 contested possessions.
Karl Amon - B
Started on the half-back flank and enjoyed a brilliant second half. A big goal when the Hawks really needed it in the third term also heped.
Blake Hardwick - B
Back in defence after a pre-season of promise in the forward line. Played on Kyle Langford and had his measure in the first three terms, but Langford hit back late.
Jarman Impey - B
A strong game rebounding off half-back and pushing into the middle.
Josh Weddle - B
The hype is real on Weddle. Once he learns how to get more of the footy and use it a bit better, Weddle will be a star of the competition. Very creative on Saturday afternoon.
Jack Gunston - B-
His first game back as a Hawk and it was like Gunston never left. Could have kicked better at goal but to say he slotted in seamlessly would be an understatement.
Connor Nash - B-
Mabior Chol - B-
Did some funny things with ball in hand but two goals was a good return in his first game as a Haw. Was strangely subbed off in the final term.
Sam Frost - B-
Battled hard and doesn’t stop trying.
Connor Macdonald C+
A hard and tough wingman who would have been in his side’s best if not for six clangers.
Luke Breust - C
Could have really had a say on the contest if he kicked straight. 12 touches, marks but only the two behinds on the scoreboard.
Jai Newcombe - C-
Had 21 disposals but didn’t influence in his usual ways.
Josh Ward - C-
Cam Mackenzie - C-
Is so clean and composed with ball and hand, problem is he just doesn’t get enough of it.
Ned Reeves - C-
Beaten by Todd Goldstein on the day.
Nick Watson - C-
The top draftee making his Hawthorn debut, not a whole heap went right for the ‘Wizard’. Plenty happened when he went near the ball, however.
Jack Scrimshaw - C-
Did well with ball in hand but simply doesn’t touch it enough. Only nine touches.
Mitch Lewis - C
Had the game’s first shot on goal but couldn’t get near it for most of the rest of the contest. Well held by Ben McKay, however Lewis did finish well.
James Sicily - D
A dirty day for the skipper.
Finn Maginness - N/A
Came on as the sub in the final term.
Seb Mottram