Twice or three times on the verge of succumbing to Collingwood’s premiership-calibre pressure and experience, the Dons showed a capacity to withstand the premiers’ surges and periods of ascendancy. Critically, their back six held up during those onslaughts – Ben McKay is no one’s idea of Stephen Silvagni, but his presence and size has certainly enhanced Essendon’s backline and capacity to defend.
In the second quarter, when Collingwood surged back and dominated field position, the Essendon defence did enough to prevent a complete rout similar to when the Pies trampled on Port Adelaide five days earlier.
The Dons outgunned the Pies in the disputed balls and especially in the clearances for nearly the duration of the match (plus 20 to the Bombers). Overall, they were the team that played with the greater verve and enterprise.
The Pies have to consider whether they are fielding teams without the right balance between experience/composure and energy/vibrancy, Craig McRae having again erred on the side of veterans and proven campaigners. It was notable that youngster Harvey Harrison sparked Collingwood when he came on as substitute in lieu of Tom Mitchell in the final quarter.
The younger Dons had made a ballistic beginning, piling on four goals in quick succession from the opening bounce. Darcy Parish, subdued in recent weeks, snapped one and was on his game. Jake Stringer predictably sank one from 53 metres hemmed up against the boundary in front of the MCC members (and later missed from 15 metres), while Two Metre Peter Wright was troubling Darcy Moore and the Collingwood defence with a pair of goals.
Zach Merrett, no less predictably as Stringer’s ups and downs, was playing with his metronomic productivity and leading his younger teammates – an output that he maintained for the full two hours.
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Merrett, deservedly took his first Anzac medal as best afield, shading his vice-captain Andy McGrath, who also stepped up and found a gear and played with intelligence throughout. The Dons had more of the better players on the day. Parish and Martin excelled, as did veteran ex-skipper Dyson Heppell and Langford, whose four goals were paramount.
Both sides can point to moments when an opportunity was fluffed. Elliott, had he held on to a mark in the forward pocket with not many seconds left, might have broken Essendon hearts again, as he had late in 2022 from near the boundary at the other end.
History repeated, but it was the reprise of 1995’s storied draw, not the 2022’s Collingwood snatch. Essendon did not deserve to lose this one and while they gained only two premiership points, they lost nothing in the greater scheme.
