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SportAFLAFL 2024

This was published 1 year ago

How did they lose? The stats that should have stopped a Bombers’ nightmare

Danny Russell, Andrew Stafford, Marnie Vinall and Andrew Wu
Updated ,first published

Key Posts

KEY POINTS: What a disaster, Bombers
KEY POINTS: Port find a way
Tempers fray in hot-tempered clash at Marvel
Half-time wrap from the (empty) MCG
Key points: Cats seize on Dockers’ stage fright
Old bulls butt heads; Miers’ miracle goal
Kingsley spray lifts Giants into second spot
Harley flies high in Eagles’ thrilling win

The damning stats Bombers fans don’t want to hear

By

Essendon coach Brad Scott has labelled the Bombers’ after-the-siren loss to Gold Coast as “extremely frustrating” as he rattled off last-quarter statistics that should have won them the game

In a wasteful final term Essendon kicked just one goal nine from a flood of opportunities and set themselves up for a heartbreaking defeat.

After failing to bury the game from continual forward entries, they then watched on in horror as Gold Coast star Mac Andrew marked in the dying seconds and then goaled after the siren to give the Suns a one-point victory at Marvel Stadium.

Mac Andrew silences the Essendon crowd after a clutch match-winning goal.Getty Images

A win would have seen Essendon move into seventh spot on the live ladder with the Western Bulldogs and Carlton playing matches on Sunday. Now they sit precariously in ninth.

KEY POINTS: What a disaster, Bombers

By Andrew Wu

Gold Coast 13.9 (87) d Essendon 12.14 (86)

Mac Andrew after sinking the nail in Essendon’s coffin at Marvel Stadium.Getty Images

END-OF-THE-WORLD STUFF: The doomsday scenario for Essendon played out in the most dramatic fashion.

Not only did Gold Coast end their 16-game losing streak on the road, they did it with a kick after the siren to Mac Andrew.

Just when it appeared the Dons had done enough to secure victory, with about 25 seconds left Andrew hauled in a pack mark from Sam Collins’ scrambled kick inside 50.

KEY POINTS: Port find a way

By Marnie Vinall

Port Adelaide 7.11 (53) d Melbourne 7.9 (51) at the MCG

Port Adelaide’s Esava Ratugolea and Darcy Byrne-Jones celebrate a goal in Port’s thrilling win. via Getty Images

LIGHTS OUT FOR THE DEMONS: As with a lot of games this time of year, this one had some major repercussions on the ladder.

Andrew Dillion put it well earlier this week, no side is mathematically safe inside the eight. But for Melbourne, that’s almost impossible after the loss tonight. They currently sit at 12th and two games and percentage outside of the eight - and a lot of sides still have to play this weekend. Their year is cooked.

At the President’s function ahead of the game, Melbourne president Kate Roffey made a point that usually at this time of year, the Demons are battling for a top one, two or four spot.

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Suns snatch victory from Bombers

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Mac Andrew has taken a mark and kicked a goal after the siren to give Gold Coast a one-point win over the Bombers at Marvel Stadium. Amazing scenes.

Bombers keep kicking behinds

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Essendon are doing their best to throw this game away.

They keep scoring behinds. There are two minutes remaining and they lead by five points.

Their last five scoring shots, and the last five scoring shots of the game, have been behinds. They have been dominating play. They have kicked 12.14, the Suns 12.9.

Power snatch victory

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Port Adelaide have dragged themselves off the canvas to score an incredible win at the MCG.

They trailed for most of the night. They have won by two points and it is huge in the context of the year. They are now second on the live ladder. Incredible.

It was a brave effort by Melbourne.

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Bombers holding a slender lead

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The Bombers are clinging to a three-point lead, and they are far from home.

Jake Stringer has just missed a shot at goal that would have given them an eight-point lead. It could be a costly miss.

Five minutes remaining.

Port clinging on for dear life

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What a nail biter at the MCG. Three minutes remaining, Port Adelaide lead by two points.

Power hit the front after a goal to sub Quinton Narkle, and then followed up with a rushed behind.

Melbourne are fighting like mad to get a winning goal.

Gold Coast levels the score, Port hits the front

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A Sam Flanders goal to the Gold Coast has levelled the score in a tense final term at Marvel Stadium.

Both sides sit on 81 points, with 12 minutes remaining in this match.

That is Flanders’ second goal of the night, and it followed three straight behinds from the Bombers. Jake Stringer, Sam Durham and Sam Draper all missed gettable shots.

Bad kicking is bad footy, especially with a finals berth at stake.

Over at the MCG, Port Adelaide have hit the front at the 25-minute mark of the final term. But they only lead by a point. The game is up for grabs.

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Demons clinging onto their lead

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The game has ticked over the 20-minute mark of the final term at the MCG and Melbourne are clinging on to their narrow lead.

Both sides have managed just one goal each in the last quarter. Kysaiah Picket has four for the night, while Port’s major came from Charlie Dixon, who has two.

The Demons lead by five points.

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