Despite producing some of their best footy of the year to date, a last-term fadeout has seen Essendon VFL fall to Brisbane by 20 points at Brighton Homes Arena on Friday.
A blistering start saw the Bombers pile on six opening quarter goals, the first two of those coming within the opening minute of play.
Sparked by Rhys Unwin’s ventures forward (the youngster snaring two early goals), Essendon capitalised on the dewy conditions early in the piece and looked to move the ball aggressively against a Brisbane outfit that had to work their way into the contest.
The Lions replied with five goals of their own in the second to cut the margin to five points at the main change, with Will McLachlan’s five-goal haul powering much of their forward presence.
After a quiet opening half of his VFL debut, Hussien El Achkar opened things up once again for the Dons after the break, slotting consecutive goals in the third term and converting truly in the last to finish with three majors.
Having started in defence, mid-season draftee Liam McMahon was shuffled forward to great effect after quarter time, booting two long-range goals to open his account as an Essendon player, while Kayle Gerreyn was utilised in defence this week.
It was ultimately in the final 10 minutes where things came undone for the Bombers, who began to fall away at centre clearance and allowed the Lions to kick six goals in the last term.
Despite winning the inside 50 and tackle counts, late losses at stoppages and in the contest proved to be the deciding factor.
Vigo Visentini was a major positive from the day, the young ruck capitalising on his height advantage in the ruck and tallying a career-high 58 hitouts to go with his 16 disposals.
Dylan Shiel is also in good form – the experienced on-baller racked up 29 disposals, 12 clearances and eight score involvements in a well-rounded performance, with Jared Eckersley’s three-goal effort another standout.
Alwyn Davey Jnr offered strong pressure and lent a dangerous hand up forward at stages, taking a promising step forward – Jackson Hately was another solid contributor at the coal face with 22 touches and 11 tackles.
The Dons look to bounce back off a long break next week, facing Carlton at Windy Hill on King’s Birthday Eve.
BRISBANE 3.2 8.5 12.7 18.11 (119)
ESSENDON 6.4 9.4 12.7 15.9 (99)
GOALS
El Achkar 3, Eckersley 3, McMahon 2, Unwin 2, Davey Jnr, Busuttil, Menzie, Lual, Sellers
BEST
Visentini, Shiel, Eckersley, Hately
