Round 5 – Melbourne V Essendon

Some Good Moments But No Sustained Momentum

Liam Chambers

Essendon look hungrier from the first bounce.

After a promising start against GWS in Round 1, we are currently languishing second from bottom on the ladder. The Bombers, fresh from their win over Port Adelaide, would be keen to build on their momentum and Melbourne would be expecting a tough game.

Essendon had their first major when Harrison Jones marked in front of goal and slotted his 50m kick. Jye Menzie made it two in a row for the Bombers when he snapped a 15m shot from the right of the square.

Kysaiah Pickett opened his 2025 account with a scintillating goal after an attempted mark was thwarted. He quickly recovered to collect the loose ball on the bounce, before tapping it across the line.

Essendon’s response came three minutes later when Ben Hobbs received a hand pass after an inside 50 stoppage. His snap from 35m sailed through the uprights, extending the margin to fourteen points. The Bombers pressure continued, with Melbourne struggling to contain the attacks on their defensive 50.

The Dees did eventually make into their forward 50 but the efforts didn’t pay dividends, with attempts on goal only resulting in minor scores.

Melbourne’s woes continue to stack up

Melbourne started the second term with more intent and it eventually paid off when Ed Langdon took an uncontested mark 40m in front. He was then awarded a 50m penalty for sustaining a hit after the mark. His point blank shot reduced the deficit to six points.

Essendon was meeting more resistance from the Demons when trying to make their up the ground. The uncontested marks had dried up for the visitors, but their pressure remained near the top of the barometer. Eventually they broke through when Jye Menzie manage to chip the sherrin over the heads of the Melbourne players to score his second of the afternoon.

The Dees seemed to have no problem winning the ball from the centre bounce, but the issues started once they ventured inside 50. Essendon’s defence cut off any advance, and from there the Bombers could launch their own counter attack. When they found themselves inside 50, they were making Melbourne pay. It happened again when Nate Caddy took a contested mark and made sure with his 30m kick.

Once again the Dees won the centre clearance but stumbled as they navigated inside 50. Essendon made the most of a clearance win midfield and made their way goalwards, where Dylan Shiel marked 40m from goal. His set shot was successful, leaving Melbourne trailing by twenty four points.

Once again, the Dees won the centre clearance but couldn’t find a clear path once inside 50. Then Essendon retaliated with a run through the corridor where Sam Draper marked before kicking to Jye Menzie. The forward marked the ball 25m in front of goal. Menzie then claim his hat trick with his set shot.

Nothing was working for the Demons, with the only consolation being the Bombers failure to kick another goal before half time.

Demon launch fightback to stay in contention

When Archie Perkins was awarded a free kick in the pocket, shortly after the start of the second half, the signs were ominous. His set shot conversion only deepened our gloom. Despite the Bombers determination to make a statement and the thirty five point deficit, Melbourne wasn’t about to lay down and let their opponents have it all their own way.

Harrison Petty’s mark in the pocket was a welcome reprieve. He almost played on immediately but instead went back. The 40m set shot looked to be veering left but eventually made it through with plenty to spare.

The Dees’ next goal was a beautiful sight. Bailey Fritsch was taking a free kick from the boundary near the 50m line but saw an opportunity and ran on, kicking from the arc and sending the ball soaring through the big sticks. For the first time in the game, Melbourne finally had the momentum and were making the most of it, chasing and attacking at every opportunity.

When Bailey Fritsch was slammed after taking an uncontested mark inside 50, he was awarded a 50m penalty and promptly walked to the square to make it back to back goals for himself and three in row for the Demons. It felt like old times when Jake Melksham took a contested mark on the wing, then ran on inside 50, where he pick out Kozzie Pickett with a perfectly weight kick. Kozzie didn’t disappoint with his cleanly taken 20m set shot.

Seemingly all good things must come to an end though, and so it was when Xavier Duursma marked and converted from 30m in front.

With two minutes to go, Harry Sharpe brought it back to ten points when Charlie Spargo performed some impressive ducking and weaving, eventually getting the ball to his fellow forward, who ran on and chipped it over the line.

Then, when it looked like Melbourne would go in at three quarter time looking competitive, Stephen May was robbed by both the Umpire and Nic Martin for what was undoubtedly a mark. Incredibly it wasn’t paid and the gap widened to sixteen points.

No relief in final quarter, as Demons bombed by Essendon

Demon fans were hoping for more of the same when the sides took to the ground for the final term.

Within four minutes though, it was obvious that the Bombers were back firing on all cylinders; Jade Gresham took an uncontested mark at the top of the goal square and immediately played on, tapping the ball across the line. As the clock ticked down, the chances of a Demon’s win receded, and when Ben Hobbs took an uncontested mark in front of goal, it looked very grim indeed. After Hobbs slotted the goal, it virtually sealed the deal for Essendon.

Tom Sparrow’s snapped from the top of the square provided some hope, but it turned out to be just a consolation goal in the end.

Nate Caddy’s 40m set shot with five minutes left only rubbed salt into the wounds. Mason Redman’s bullet from 60m with twenty seconds remaining seemed unnecessarily cruel, but Jye Menzie’s fourth from inside the goal square, just before the siren was brutal.

We play Fremantle at home next. Best not to think of our last two games against the Dockers and just go out and play our best footy.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!