Kane Cornes believes the same old issues are still plaguing Essendon in 2024.
While the Bombers are noticeably more physical both at and away from the contest this season, Cornes still thinks that their main concern – which is defending the ground – is still haunting them.
The Dons gave up 131 points in Saturday night’s 30-point loss to Sydney at the SCG and Cornes was sick of seeing how easy it was for the Swans to move the ball from one end of the ground to the other.
The Swans were able to take 19 marks inside 50 as a result of that lack of pressure and Cornes thinks that was simply due to a lack of physicality and effort in putting on pressure and stifling the ball carrier.
“They’d be happy with their contest work, their stoppage stuff and they’ve been strong in the first two weeks in that area,” Cornes said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“But how many times have we spoken about Essendon not being able to defend?
“It was even the same last week against Hawthorn, there was a weakness there.
“They’re not physical enough and they don’t block any of that run.
“The way that Sydney were allowed to move the footy … 19 marks inside 50 the Swans took … that’s an area that I’m sick about talking on with Essendon.
“To see Errol Gulden run from the back pocket to the forward 50 and deliver it inside 50 with no pressure is a concern for Essendon.”
With St Kilda, Port Adelaide, the Western Bulldogs, Adelaide, Collingwood and Carlton to come in the next six weeks, Cornes is already concerned about where the Bombers could find themselves at Round 8.
He thinks that those teams will cut the Bombers up with their ball use if they continue to struggle in defence.
“Their next six weeks are really tough,” Cornes said.
“I’m worried about the Bombers now.
“Even though it was a strong performance in terms of contest, ground ball and clearance … if you’re not going to defend, you’re going to get cut up.
“I thought they got cut up last night.”
Essendon’s next game comes against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium next Saturday.
"How many times have we spoken about Essendon not being able to defend?"
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) March 23, 2024
Why @kanecornes is already 'worried' about the Bombers with a tough run ahead, as Nathan Brown says the Swans are just about the best ball users in the comp.#9AFLSFS | Nine & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/7WMFzunPoM