‘Huge steps’ despite Bombers’ Gabba near miss
Murray Wenzel |
Essendon’s comeback fell short but coach Brad Scott still labelled their 18-point loss to Brisbane a “huge step forward” for his gang of Bombers youths.
The Lions led by 32 points and were humming at the Gabba before the Bombers, behind an immense third quarter from Jye Caldwell, surged back to lead in the final term.
Defending champions Brisbane avoided a repeat of their shock loss to Melbourne at the venue a fortnight ago though, escaping 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) on Thursday night.
It improved them to 9-2-1, Hugh McCluggage (career-high 41 disposals, 12 score involvements) starring again as Kai Lohmann (three goals) had his best game of an injury-marred season.
The Bombers came without injured trio Ben McKay, Zach Reid and Kyle Langford, debutant Zak Johnson and youngsters Archer Day-Wicks and Elijah Tsatas filling the void.
Nate Caddy, 19, received huge praise from Scott after going toe-to-toe with Lions key defenders Jack Payne and Harris Andrews.
Nic Martin (29 disposals) kicked two brilliant goals while Caldwell (30 touches) had 18 disposals, seven clearances, one goal and a goal assist in the third quarter alone.
“Huge step forward for us … character, fight, effort, contest, the exuberance of youth,” Scott said.
“If you’re not up for the fight in the contest …. or at least compete strongly, it’s going to be a long night.
“Caldwell, Martin, all our midfield really responded.
“A few 12-point plays (from turnovers) throughout the game; in the end that’s probably the biggest difference.”
As they did against Melbourne a fortnight ago, the Lions started fluidly and tore through the middle of the Gabba at their leisure.
A 6.3 first term was built on punishment of every Bombers turnover as the Lions queued for goals.
Six consecutive behinds followed in the second term though, the hosts butchering chances that gave the Bombers life just as it did the Demons in their shock comeback win earlier this month.
Logan Morris stopped the rot for the Lions with a 45-metre snap but the Bombers kept coming in a show-stopping third term.
Caddy was influential in the air at both ends, his goal followed by a Caldwell major out of a stoppage a part of his prolific term.
Caddy should have had another but missed when he played on, Martin then nailing a second goal from the same pocket to make it a five-point game.
Scores were level when Caddy snapped a brilliant goal back over his head, before a pair of Lions majors gave them a 12-point buffer at the final break.
That was eroded inside three minutes though, the Bombers in front by one point before Morris gave Brisbane back the lead for good.
Lohmann then skipped through another from 50 metres into an open goal before defender Noah Answerth was the unlikely match-sealer.
“Relief and pretty proud,” Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said.
“We got asked the question a few times and were able to respond both times.
“The Hawthorn game (last Saturday at the MCG) was a big game for us; it was always a bit of a danger tonight that maybe we’d be a bit off.
“We got a little bit panicky (against the Demons) and aware of the scoreboard too much but tonight … good composure.”
AAP
