Bombers explode into Etihad clash, but Kangaroos bounce back

ESSENDON                      5.0   6.3   8.10   12.10   (82)
NORTH MELBOURNE    2.6   7.9   9.13   13.15   (93)

By MATTHEW BALMER

North Melbourne’s clean ruck contest saw Jack Ziebell kick his side to a 17-point lead in the dying minutes and put a comeback out of Essendon’s reach.

Roos coach Brad Scott said it “would be close” to Ziebell’s best match after a four-quarter effort saw the midfielder to 29 possessions, and a match-high 26 kicks and 11 clearances.

Bomber Tom Bellchambers tried to spark a comeback from a nine-point deficit five minutes into the final term when he leapt to grab a mark at 25m and scored.

But Kangaroo Jarrad Waite returned to extend his side’s lead to 17 points when he scored. It was some redemption for earlier off-target kicking that saw him kick two behinds.

It was goal-for-goal until Bomber Jackson Merrett closed the margin back to 11 points with just two minutes left, but Kangaroo Drew Petrie’s mark deep in his side’s back 50 enabled him to run down the clock.

Essendon captain Jobe Watson led his side to an explosive first term, kicking two goals to help the Bombers to a 12-point lead at quarter-time.

At the break, Scott urged this team to “hit the scoreboard” after their poor kicking saw six behinds scored.

“Lindsay Thomas kicked five straight last week, so I don’t think it’s an [ongoing] issue for us,” Scott said post-match.

For the Bombers it was a dramatic shift to a fast pace match from their slow ball movement in the opening six rounds, where they have struggled to convert high possession into points.

It enabled midfielders Travis Colyer and Brendon Goddard to propel the ball forward and find passage in the midfield to enter their forward 50.

But the Bombers fell apart in the second term when they failed to control the pace, leading to an overall 49 clangers in the match, while Kangaroo defenders waited for opportunities in the midfield before advancing.

Roo Robin Nahas found space on the wing to carry it forward to the arc where he delivered to Jarrad Waite, who scored at 30m to push his side to a 12-point lead at half-time.

Kangaroo defender Lachlan Hansen dominated to grab 11 marks uncontested before half-time.

Bomber Kyle Langford replaced Ben Howlett at the major break, bringing an intensity to the midfield that enabled his side find inside-50s run and back-to-back goals six minutes into the third term.

But forward Joe Daniher missed an opportunity from 15m to push his side within a goal at three-quarter-time.

Zach Merrett wasted another opportunity, taking advantage from a free kick at 35m at goal-front late in the final quarter.

North Melbourne meet ladder-leader Fremantle in Perth next Saturday, while the Bombers clash with Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

THE WRAP-UP

GOALS
Essendon: Colyer, 2; Watson, 2; Ambrose, 2; Heppell; Goddard; Daniher; Bellchambers; Melksham; Merrett
North Melbourne: Petrie, 2; Waite, 2; Thomas, 2; Ziebell, 2; Gibson; Harvey; Cunnington; Nahas; Higgins

BEST
Essendon: Heppell, Hurley, Goddard, Watson, Hibberd, Colyer
North Melbourne: Ziebell, Hansen, Swallow, Cunnington, Petrie, Jacobs

INJURIES
Essendon: Langford (quad)
North Melbourne: Brown (knee)

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Ben Howlett replaced Kyle Langford at half-time
North Melbourne: Shaun Atley replaced Ben Brown in the third quarter

REPORTS
Essendon: None
North Melbourne: Waite (striking)

UMPIRES: Ray Chamberlain, Robert Findlay, David Harris

CROWD: 43,972 at Etihad Stadium