Australian Football

Match Report

Essendon defeated Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday afternoon and, while the Bombers' win will not come as a huge shock to AFL pundits, the ease of the victory was certainly unexpected. The Magpies never "fired a shot" in the match, losing all four quarters to ultimately be humiliated by 64 points and see its grip on a place in the top eight become decidedly shaky. Conversely, Essendon has moved into the top eight for the first time since round four, and is playing a brand of football that could see them playing in September.

The Dons got away to a good early start, with goals to Patrick Ambrose, Paul Chapman and Jake Carlisle before Collingwood had even troubled the scorers with a behind, although the Magpies did recover to kick to of the last three goals of the term to be just 10 points behind at the first break. The Bombers defence was outstanding in the second quarter, allowing just two behinds through for the entire term, and their forwards made the most of their chances, kicking for 4.1 for the quarter to be a very accurate 8.1 at the long break, 31 points clear of Collingwood. 

Things did not improve much for the Magpies in the third quarter. While they managed to register 2.3, Essendon's amazing accuracy in front of goal continued, the Bombers kicking six straight to have an amazing three-quarter time score of 14.1, 52 points clear of Collingwood's 4.9. The Pies kicked off the final term with a goal at the four-minute mark but that was remarkably to be their last score of the match. Essendon dominated the rest of the match but - fortunately for Collingwood - the Dons' accuracy deserted them as they added 2.6 for the quarter to run out winners by over 10 goals.

Jake Carlisle had a break-out match as a forward, taking an amazing 19 marks and kicking four goals in a best-on-ground performance. Paul Chapman (eight tackles and three goals) was also a fine player for the Dons, while Steele Sidebottom (28 disposals, nine marks) and Dayne Beams (23 possessions, two goals) were among the few shining lights for Collingwood.

The win allowed Essendon to leapfrog the Pies into seventh on the ladder. Both sides are on nine wins, along with ninth-placed Gold Coast. The Bombers will take on the improving Western Bulldogs at Docklands next Sunday, while the Magpies have a week off to lick their wounds and regroup before taking on Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday week.

GOALS
Essendon: Carlisle 4; Ambrose, Chapman 3; Z Merrett 2; Stanton, Daniher, Zaharakis, Hocking,
Collingwood: Beams 2; Young, Seedsman, Lumumba

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Essendon: Carlisle, Chapman, Stanton, Heppell, Z Merrett, Ambrose, Hooker
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Beams, Pendlebury, Williams

BEST - THE AGE
Essendon: Carlisle, Hooker, Stanton, Merrett, Winderlich, Heppell, Chapman, Baguley, Ambrose, Myers
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Beams, Pendlebury, Swan

INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Collingwood: Maxwell (left ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Corey Dell'Olio replaced Jason Winderlich at three-quarter time.
Collingwood: Ben Kennedy replaced Clinton Young in the third quarter.

UMPIRES: Donlon, Margetts, Schmidt

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Bruce McAvaney, Dennis Cometti, Tim Watson