Essendon’s Struggles on the Big Stage
Brad Scott, the coach of Essendon, has expressed his frustration following the team’s performance in the AFL Anzac Day match against Collingwood. The Bombers faced a significant defeat, losing by a record margin of 77 points at the MCG. This loss was particularly painful as it highlighted their inability to handle high-pressure situations.
During the game, Essendon struggled with centre clearances, which were crucial for maintaining control. They lost this key aspect of the game by a staggering 9-20, which ultimately led to their downfall. Scott admitted that not only did his team fail to cope with the pressure from Collingwood, but they also faltered when there was no pressure at all.
“We just didn’t handle the occasion well,” Scott said. “It’s incredibly frustrating because we came on a really important day … outside finals, you don’t get bigger games, bigger crowds, (a) bigger stage – which creates big moments. Repeatedly, we weren’t able to handle those moments.”
The Bombers’ performance was further undermined by their inability to deal with the pressure, even when it wasn’t present. Scott pointed out that many of their senior players also had poor games, indicating a widespread issue within the team.
The game started with some optimism, given Essendon’s recent win in Gather Round and their strong performance in the away loss to Gold Coast. However, the team’s ball use was terrible, especially during critical moments. Once Collingwood’s experienced players, such as Scott Pendlebury and Nick Daicos, took control in the midfield, the Bombers were left struggling.
“It really does look like men playing against boys,” said coaching great Mick Malthouse on ABC radio. Malthouse noted that most of Essendon’s senior players were also underperforming, adding to the team’s woes.
One bright spot in the game was Archie Roberts, who managed to accumulate 42 possessions off half-back despite the overall poor performance. However, the signs were not promising early on, with key defender Ben McKay making an error in the first quarter, allowing Lachie Schultz to score for Collingwood.
Despite a strong start, Essendon could not maintain their momentum. Nate Caddy’s goal in the third quarter brought the margin back to nine points, but this was short-lived. Three minutes later, Pendlebury capitalized on another Essendon turnover, scoring a sublime running goal that marked the beginning of a flood of goals for Collingwood.
Collingwood went on to score six goals to one for the rest of the term, sealing their victory. Essendon will now face reigning premiers Brisbane next Saturday at Marvel Stadium. With a big seven days ahead, the Bombers will need to regroup and find a way to handle the big occasions better in the future.
