Round 18 1995, Essendon vs. Melbourne
Game Statistics
ESSENDON.........6.4 10.8 12.13 15.16(106)
MELBOURNE........3.2 5.5 6.6 11.7 (73)
Goals:
ESSENDON:Salmon,Alessio 4,Long 3,Mercuri,Daniher,O'Donnell,Misiti 1.
MELBOURNE: Smith 4, Lyon 3, Hilton 2, Obst, Neitz 1.
Crowd:
52,523 at the MCG
Comment:
This was a very impressive performance by the Bombers. It was built up as being a very close match, with Melbourne fighting for their place in the eight, and the Dons looking towards the top two or three. Essendon came out very focused, and from the first quarter looked like they would dominate the entire game. In the first six minutes, the Cockie had had six possessions, and it looked like the Bombers would thrash the Demons. It did not end up being the bath that it could have been, but the Essendon boys certainly showed some of the class and form that took them all the way in 1993.
After a great opening quarter (bar the last five minutes or so, where the Demons kicked a few goals to bring them back into contention), the Dons started the second quarter in much the same way. However missed opportunities meant the we did not really take advantage of the obvious dominance that we had over Melbourne. Once again we missed some easy goals, but luckily that didn't matter in the context of this game. The third quarter saw a more even contest, but it seemed at times the Essendon players were able to treat Melbourne with contempt, and the skill level shown by the Bombers was certainly a class above the Dees. The final quarter was a fairly lifeless affair, especially the last ten minutes or so, when the game was well and truly over.
One of the highlights of the game for the Bombers was the continuing great form of Peter Somerville. His ruck work today was superb, he really made Stynes look like a clown. Invariably Stynes would jump too early, then Somerville would simply grab the ball and clear it out to an Essendon player. At no time was he taken in by Stynes' crazy antics, and around the ground he showed why he now one of the most important players in the Essendon team. Another highlight was the return of Stephen Alessio.
In his first game back he was one of the best players on the ground, showing the form that gained him selection in the Victorian state squad, before his kidney injury which saw him miss months of footy. He kicked four goals, and reigned supreme in the air, and on the ground (kicking a soccer goal off the ground, as seems to be fashionable at Essendon at the moment). Other good players were Sean Denham (who again roved perfectly to Somerville, and picked up heaps of touches), Damien Hardwick (who played on the half-back line, showing the confidence he had in the 1994 season) and Paul Salmon (who kicked four goals and took numerous marks out in front. Unfortunately he sustained an ankle injury in the last ten minutes of the game, and was taken to hospital for x-rays. Hopefully the injury won't be too bad and he'll be able to play in this year's finals series).
Many of the plays in today's game reminded me of the 1993 finals, with the skills and confidence shown by nearly all players on the field. Alessio and Harvey (who after a slow start in the first quarter finished the game playing very well, and I'm sure he'll enjoy his testimonial dinner tonight) returned from injury with force, and the team is really looking good with only four home and away games to go. Now for Collingwood...- Brad
Votes:
It was a day for the tall men, surprising given the wet conditions, who took control of the game in the air.
3 - Peter Somerville
Best on ground two weeks in a row, Somerville has really shown the football community that he is one of the best ruckmen in the league (probably the best at the moment). His clever play and strong marking around the ground (including a bit of a speccy today) really gave the Bombers the edge.
2 - Stephen Alessio
In his first week back he showed what we've been missing over the past months, a tall man who acts like a rover. Not only does he outmark most players, he can bend down and get the hard ball on the forward line (indicated by his four goals today).
1 - Sean Denham
Another vote for Sean, who is one of the most consistent players at Essendon this year. He gave us supreme drive through the middle of the ground today, and is an important player for us heading towards the finals.
Possessions Kicks Handballs Marks
O'DONNELL 24 LONG 16 HARDWICK 12 SALMON 10DENHAM 23 DENHAM 15 MISITI 11 SOMERVILLE 9MISITI 22 O'DONNELL 15 O'DONNELL 9 DENHAM 8SOMERVILLE 20 ALESSIO 14 MORGAN 9 ALESSIO 7LONG 20 HARVEY 14 DENHAM 8 DANIHER,C 5HARDWICK 19 SOMERVILLE 12 SOMERVILLE 8 O'DONNELL 4HARVEY 17 SALMON 11 HIRD 6 LONG 4ALESSIO 16 MISITI 11 YOUNG 6 HARVEY 4COCKATOO-CO 14 WANGANEEN 10 COCKATOO-CO 5 FLETCHER 4MORGAN 14 COCKATOO-CO 9 LONG 4 YOUNG 4
Standing after Round 18:
I never thought I'd say it, but what a wonderful win to Collingwood! By beating Geelong, they allowed us to move up into third spot this weekend. We now have the same wins as Geelong (although two draws making up one win), and it is just percentage that separates us. The last four weeks have suddenly become very interesting. Many people thought the eight was set in concrete last week, but the results this round have opened it up for all teams. I've finally done my predictions for the final eight (sorry they were so long coming), click here to see them. The ladder is as follows:
---------------P--W--L-D--For-Agst---%--Pts
Carlton.......18 16 2 0 1937 1366 141.80 64
Richmond......18 13 4 1 1681 1532 109.73 54
Essendon......18 12 4 2 2052 1530 134.12 52
Geelong.......18 13 5 0 2088 1564 133.50 52
West Coast....18 11 7 0 1583 1412 112.11 44
Nth Melb......18 11 7 0 1781 1622 109.80 44
Footscray.....18 9 8 1 1513 1638 92.37 38
Melbourne.....18 9 9 0 1601 1487 107.67 36
Collingwood...18 7 9 2 1678 1664 100.84 32
Adelaide......18 8 10 0 1382 1630 84.79 32
Hawthorn......18 7 11 0 1489 1505 98.94 28
Brisbane......18 7 11 0 1647 1866 88.26 28
Fremantle.....18 6 12 0 1650 1780 92.70 24
Sydney........18 5 13 0 1751 1914 91.48 20
St. Kilda.....18 5 13 0 1385 1842 75.19 20
Fitzroy.......18 2 16 0 1317 2183 60.33 8
Next Week:
Collingwood. This will be a blockbuster (what an aweful term). With Melbourne losing, Collingwood still have a chance for the final eight. We could expect around 80,000 people if the weather is okay (i wouldn't think that 95,000 would happen again this year, and i hope that this one won't be a draw!). Even so, i wouldn't give Collingwood much chance, as it seems many of the players at Essendon are in tune for a big finish this year. The most important thing this week will be to see how Salmon pulls up, and also Ricky Olarenshaw may have received another set-back this week, limping off the ground after the reserves loss today (the reserves played quite well in the third quarter to have a chance, but they could not outscore Melbourne in the last).
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