AFL 2021 round 15: Essendon Bombers v Melbourne Demons – live!
Bombers #Bombers
7.31am EDT 07:31
Q4: 17 mins remaining: Essendon 6.7 (43) v 8.13 (61) Melbourne – Melbourne are imprecise on the counter but Hind gifts them a free-kick and from that Fritsch is found 40m out on an angle. He can only force a point, but it keeps the game in Essendon’s half.
7.30am EDT 07:30
Q4: 18 mins remaining: Essendon 6.8 (44) v 8.12 (60) Melbourne – Excellent contested mark from Laverde to deny Melbourne an exit. the pressure continues to pour on the Dees, and the crowd gets involved with a chorus of boos for what they thought was a holding the ball call not paid against Petracca (they had a point). The pressure continues though, and a long bomb dribbles wide for a point.
7.28am EDT 07:28
Q4: 19 mins remaining: Essendon 6.7 (43) v 8.12 (60) Melbourne – Essendon win the opening clearance of the quarter and tear off into attack. A Melbourne first interrupts a mark inside-50 but the Bombers remain on the front foot with repeat stoppages.
7.21am EDT 07:21
3QT: Essendon 6.7 (43) v 8.12 (60) Melbourne
Melbourne lifted their attacking game that quarter and have established a decent lead going into the final break.
7.20am EDT 07:20
Q3: 1 min remaining: Essendon 6.7 (43) v 8.12 (60) Melbourne – The Dons try to up the tempo but Melbourne’s defensive structure and intensity is hard to penetrate. They are a tough unit to either grind through or play over. Devon Smith just got told off by one of the umpires for shouting at him. Fair to say Essendon feel they’ve not had the rub of the green tonight.
7.17am EDT 07:17
Q3: 2.30 mins remaining: Essendon 6.7 (43) v 8.12 (60) Melbourne – The Demons reload quickly, benefit from a free-kick, and from the unsettled aftermath there’s space in the forward line. Two kicks later and Petracca is lining up a set shot from 45m on a slight angle. He nails it. Petracca’s class has shone this quarter.
7.15am EDT 07:15
Q3: 3.30 mins remaining: Essendon 6.7 (43) v 7.12 (54) Melbourne – Essendon are playing slow kick-mark footy, crabbing their way up the ground. It looks ropey, and not at all what’s required in the circumstances. But for the second time in the space of a few minutes it proves effective. The slow build precedes a huge bomb to the hotspot, the ball comes to ground, and Jones crumbs superbly to snap a second goal in quick succession.
7.13am EDT 07:13
Q3: 4.30 mins remaining: Essendon 5.7 (37) v 7.12 (54) Melbourne – Excellent by Petracca, escaping from the stoppage and finding Harmes in space just inside 50. Another miss.
7.11am EDT 07:11
Q3: 6 mins remaining: Essendon 5.7 (37) v 7.11 (53) Melbourne – Fritsch is loose over the back and he’s found after Harmes is awarded a free-kick advantage on the burst in midfield. Fritsch hooks his set shot.
This has been a below-par attacking display from both outfits.
7.10am EDT 07:10
Q3: 7 mins remaining: Essendon 5.7 (37) v 7.10 (52) Melbourne – There haven’t been many occasions tonight where the ball has come in fast and flat to a leading forward, but Spargo was hit lace out after Melbourne won a convincing centre clearance. He eschews the shot in favour of hitting McDonald’s chest, but his set shot is very weak and Draper should mark, but opts to concede the point instead.
7.08am EDT 07:08
Q3: 8 mins remaining: Essendon 5.7 (37) v 7.9 (51) Melbourne – Essendon needing a momentum changer, and there it is, Heppell snapping truly from 25m after the ball fell kindly after a pack formed.
7.05am EDT 07:05
Q3: 9 mins remaining: Essendon 4.7 (31) v 7.9 (51) Melbourne – The Bombers finally get their hands on the pill after an age, but they don’t look full of purpose. However, after chipping the ball around midfield they engineer a couple of pockets of space, eventually finding Smith in shooting range. He lets fly but Gawn is on hand to reduce the damage by five on the line.
7.01am EDT 07:01
Q3: 12.30 mins remaining: Essendon 4.6 (30) v 7.9 (51) Melbourne – The Dees force the turnover in midfield and then piece together a scrappy chain of possession on the right wing. It ends with Petracca lining up a set shot from the boundary near enough 40m out. Chances don’t get much harder. No bother, he clips a beautiful drop punt to extend the lead.
6.59am EDT 06:59
Q3: 13 mins remaining: Essendon 4.6 (30) v 6.9 (45) Melbourne – Melbourne are grinding well this quarter. It isn’t pretty, but it is effective. Merrett had 26 touches in the opening half, none so far in this.
6.58am EDT 06:58
Q3: 14.30 mins remaining: Essendon 4.6 (30) v 6.9 (45) Melbourne – Steven May is a boss. His dominance of defensive 50 has been awesome tonight, as it has most of the season. His partnership with Lever, and their relationship with Hibberd is a major reason why the Dees are at the top of the ladder.
May’s presence bullies Hooker out of the contest and after Jordon accepts possession on left centre wing he’s soon gifted a 50m penalty for Perkins coming off the bench into the protected area. Then just as he’s nearing his new mark there’s another whistle and 50m more! Not sure what this one’s for, but Melbourne don’t care, they’re 15 points in front.
6.54am EDT 06:54
Q3: 16 mins remaining: Essendon 4.6 (30) v 5.9 (39) Melbourne – Gawn is penalised in the ruck contest so Essendon break. It’s not pretty for 70m, until Parish centres for Cox, but he can’t hold the mark. Melbourne try to break through hands but McDonald-Tipungwuti, who else, lays a superb run-down tackle. The Bombers can’t construct another decent opportunity with Melbourne set defensively and have to accept a behind.
6.52am EDT 06:52
Q3: 18 mins remaining: Essendon 4.5 (29) v 5.9 (39) Melbourne – The opening score of the quarter is a point, courtesy of a Harmes snap after excellent thrust from deep from Hunt.
And out of nowhere Melbourne kick the first goal! McDonald applies the smart finish – kicking the ball over his head – after Hind has an absolute shocker, failing to smuggle the ball over for a behind, taking himself out against the point post in the process.
6.49am EDT 06:49
Q3: 19 mins remaining: Essendon 4.5 (29) v 4.8 (32) Melbourne – Underway in the second half and Essendon win a rare centre bounce, but the bomb forward is an easy intercept and Melbourne clear to centre wing.
6.40am EDT 06:40
David emails, asking “why are Melbourne wearing black armbands?” I’m afraid I can’t shed any light on that. Can anyone help out?
6.28am EDT 06:28
HT: Essendon 4.5 (29) v 4.8 (32) Melbourne
Not much between these sides at the main break. Not a classic but plenty of industry.
6.27am EDT 06:27
Q2: 0.30 mins remaining: Essendon 4.5 (29) v 4.8 (32) Melbourne – It’s a 12-point error because Melbourne go up the other end through Langdon, receive a free-kick in the goalsquare, and Jordon kicks them back in front.
Updated at 6.27am EDT
6.25am EDT 06:25
Q2: 2.30 mins remaining: Essendon 4.5 (29) v 3.8 (26) Melbourne – It’s all Essendon for a spell and they link handball after handball, sprinting through the corridor like Geelong ‘09, but they over-possess and a certain goal turns into a Ham behind. Big opportunity missed.
6.24am EDT 06:24
Q2: 2.30 mins remaining: Essendon 4.4 (28) v 3.8 (26) Melbourne – If Zach Merrett was in a Melbourne guernsey the Dees would be out of sight. His delivery in crucial areas has been superb for Essendon, and again he threads the needle to pick a target under pressure. On this occasion Perkins cannot honour the build-up and kicks a point.
6.22am EDT 06:22
Q2: 3.30 mins remaining: Essendon 4.3 (27) v 3.8 (26) Melbourne – Essendon’s intensity has dipped a fraction and Melbourne are trying to take them on with their running game, but they can’t connect adroitly enough to pierce a gap. The Bombers are slow and precise in possession but they make a chain down the right flank and the roost to the hotspot finds the massive Peter Wright swooping like an albatross to clunk the mark and drill the goal. Dons back in front.
6.19am EDT 06:19
Q2: 6 mins remaining: Essendon 3.3 (21) v 3.8 (26) Melbourne – … and now the Dees are ahead. Another centre clearance win, the ball hoisted forward by Harmes, kept alive at ground level by Spargo and he snaps very smartly over his shoulder.
6.18am EDT 06:18
Q2: 6 mins remaining: Essendon 3.3 (21) v 2.8 (20) Melbourne – Deary me. What is going on out there? McDonald is hit on his chest on a superb lead, he wheels around and kicks to a pack, the ball falls to Jackson who… tries a cute dribble with his non-preferred that doesn’t make the journey from 20m!
Goodwin is down near the boundary-line now, presumably ready to clip a few of his charges around the ear. Jackson may be spared one for the time being. Cheap turnover across Essendon’s backline, the ball is soon shipped to the big ruck-forward and he walks home into the open goal.
6.15am EDT 06:15
Q2: 8 mins remaining: Essendon 3.3 (21) v 1.7 (13) Melbourne – Simon Goodwin has some work to do at the interval. Rivers just tore off, took a bounce, then just steamed into traffic aimlessly. What was he doing? What is the attacking strategy?
Again! This time Fritsch has time and space, jogging towards 50, then he just sprays an awful kick miles in front of Neal-Bullen. This is calamitous attacking footy from the Dees. Shocking.
6.11am EDT 06:11
Q2: 11 mins remaining: Essendon 3.3 (21) v 1.7 (13) Melbourne – Melbourne look like drilled Navy SEALs without the ball, and like drunk elephant seals when they get it. They’ve already butchered an extraordinary amount of ball in attacking positions and it doesn’t look like the wastefulness is changing anytime soon. They’re lucky May is on his game at fullback or Essendon’s counterattacking style would have them well clear.
Updated at 6.11am EDT
6.07am EDT 06:07
Q2: 14 mins remaining: Essendon 3.3 (21) v 1.6 (12) Melbourne – Play is starting to open up a fraction, which suits Essendon and their preference for the corridor. However, a long bomb can only find the meaty palms of that man May again, standing like a lighthouse above the clouds.
6.06am EDT 06:06
Q2: 16 mins remaining: Essendon 3.3 (21) v 1.6 (12) Melbourne – And in role reversal, Melbourne break, down the right wing, and this time there is an end product with Fritsch finding Pickett in shooting range. The set shot is weak and a Bomber thumps it behind.
6.04am EDT 06:04
Q2: 17 mins remaining: Essendon 3.3 (21) v 1.5 (11) Melbourne – Essendon have their tails up now and are swarming all over Melbourne who can’t clear their lines defensively. Two to three minutes of repeat entries and relentless pressure. Somehow Melbourne survive, thanks in no small part to two intercept marks from the imperious May.
6.02am EDT 06:02
Q2: 18 mins remaining: Essendon 3.3 (21) v 1.5 (11) Melbourne – Melbourne begin the quarter on the front foot following another centre clearance. Petracca bombs deep but Essendon’s backline holds up. It’s all bit frantic for a while there until the Bombers nick the turnover and immediately belt through the corridor at breakneck speed. Stringer again launches from range but this time there’s a Melbourne hand near the goal-line. However, the touch isn’t decisive enough from Hunt and Jones does miraculously to gather the bouncing ball and slap it onto his foot before crossing the line. Thrilling goal for Essendon.
5.56am EDT 05:56
I’m not sure what to make of that. Melbourne have superb defensive structure, plenty of endeavour, and no shortage of ball, but they look devoid of inspiration (and no little class) going forward.
Essendon have ridden their luck somewhat, but their commitment to the corridor with Parish, Stringer, and especially Merrett, to the fore, makes them look incredibly dangerous, even with only a counterpuncher’s volume of possession.
5.53am EDT 05:53
QT: Essendon 2.3 (15) v 1.5 (11) Melbourne
Seconds from the siren Waterman does superbly a ground level to scrap for possession near the arc. Essendon keep the ball alive until Merrett spots the vertical pass and feeds Smith in space. The former Giant kicks his side in front after the siren.
5.50am EDT 05:50
Q1: 0.30 mins remaining: Essendon 1.3 (9) v 1.5 (11) Melbourne – Another centre clearance from Melbourne, but again they can’t craft a smooth chain of possession and find only a behind off hands.
Essendon are denied an easy exit but with the ball in no-man’s land on centre wing Stringer busts a tackle and generates momentum. Langford sends the ball forward and after it comes to ground McDonald-Tipungwuti marks in space but his set shot from an acute angle goes across the face.
5.47am EDT 05:47
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Essendon 1.2 (8) v 1.4 (10) Melbourne – Now it’s Spargo’s turn to make a mess of an entry. After laying a superb tackle on Parish to earn the free-kick he hurries his decision and kicks to an intercept mark. Essendon rebound at pace, and for the first time in an age punch a hole through Melbourne’s chainmail defence. It’s Stringer in possession and he unloads of miles out, hoping for a favourable bounce. The Sherrin skids on but slides into the post.
Barely a minute later there’s a near instant replay, the Dons in transition, Stringer in possession, and this time, the kick is spot on. Essendon back level on the goals tally.
5.44am EDT 05:44
Q1: 5 mins remaining: Essendon 0.1 (1) v 1.4 (10) Melbourne -Another point Melbourne’s way after a hopeful Spargo set shot from range came off hands. The Demons have won both centre bounces so far, nullifying one of Essendon’s major weapons.
5.42am EDT 05:42
Q1: 6 mins remaining: Essendon 0.1 (1) v 1.3 (9) Melbourne – Now it’s Oliver’s turn to slice an entry inside-50, but McDonald keeps it alive, Brayshaw cleans up, and he chips to Harmes who drills home the set shot from 40m out directly in front, for the opening goal of the game.
5.40am EDT 05:40
Q1: 7.30 mins remaining: Essendon 0.1 (1) v 0.3 (3) Melbourne – Melbourne’s defensive organisation is superb. Essendon are being aggressively suffocated. There is no space anywhere for the Bombers. The Demons have not been able to convert their pressure into goals though.
5.39am EDT 05:39
Q1: 9 mins remaining: Essendon 0.1 (1) v 0.3 (3) Melbourne – The Demons have Essendon pinned in their defensive half for a spell and the pressure causes another turnover. This time a Melbourne forward is found in space, but Jackson can only go back and hit the post.
5.38am EDT 05:38
Q1: 10 mins remaining: Essendon 0.1 (1) v 0.2 (2) Melbourne – Another frenzied Melbourne attack, another failure at a crucial moment, this time Petracca, snapping across the face when he had time to hit the target. Jordon follows up with a point.
5.36am EDT 05:36
Q1: 11 mins remaining: Essendon 0.1 (1) v 0.1 (1) Melbourne – Melbourne have butchered a series of key kicks – Pickett and Jackson the latest culprits. Both had time and space to deliver inside 50 but both missed targets. Fortunately the defensive work behind them has denied Essendon rebound opportunities. This is a hardworking contest so far, but one lacking polish in the final thirds.
5.32am EDT 05:32
Q1: 14 mins remaining: Essendon 0.1 (1) v 0.1 (1) Melbourne – Redman misses his target coming out of defence, inviting Melbourne to kick to a huge pack. The ball’s brought to ground and the Demons keep it alive for a serious of contests until Neal-Bullen shows superb vision and composure to find Brayshaw in space to his left. From 45m on a bit of an angle the behelmeted midfielder drags his set-shot wide.
5.30am EDT 05:30
Q1: 16 mins remaining: Essendon 0.1 (1) v 0.0 (0) Melbourne – It’s still yet to settle down with neither side conceding any space. Merrett almost set the Bombers away but Jackson did superbly to cut out the killer infield kick. Essendon continue the pressure and eventually bust a hole through the Demons’ defence. Merrett sprints through but with his sixth disposal he kicks just wide.
5.27am EDT 05:27
Q1: 18 mins remaining: Essendon 0.0 (0) v 0.0 (0) Melbourne – Petracca gets first use of the ball but his punt forward is mopped up across halfback by Essendon and after some nifty handballs through the corridor the game slows down as Melbourne’s impenetrable defence sets up. After a series of sideways kicks the Demons intercept. Rebounding, Melbourne are more direct, but Stewart intercept marks near the goalsquare to snuff out any danger.
5.25am EDT 05:25
Opening bounce!
Here we go, can the Bombers fly into the eight?
5.24am EDT 05:24
This was a genuine accident – Essendon looked lively and buoyant heading up the race – but now you point it out, I can see how you’d reach a different conclusion.
5.15am EDT 05:15
Now here come the Dons, in their familiar black uniform with the famous red sash. They were much the livelier coming up the race, whooping and hollering encouragement. Plenty of pep in the Essendon step.
5.13am EDT 05:13
Out jog the Dees in their clash-ish guernsey that’s a lighter shade of blue than usual, white shorts, red socks.
Jack Viney will “inspire his team around the contest,” according to Simon Goodwin, who shares that Melbourne have to deny Essendon ball in the corridor. Sounds sensible.
5.12am EDT 05:12
Already today we’ve seen Fremantle hold off a dogged Collingwood, and North Melbourne heap further misery on Gold Coast.
Port Adelaide are narrowly ahead of Sydney deep into the final term at Adelaide Oval, and look to have the four points sewn up despite a late-career Buddy masterclass.
5.11am EDT 05:11
I’m not a punter, and I’m reluctant to bring odds into the blog, but I just saw on TV that the line for this match with one agency is 22.5 points. With Essendon’s form, Melbourne coming off a loss then the bye, that seems extremely lopsided to me.
Maybe I’m scarred by years of Melbourne underachievement?
5.07am EDT 05:07
Meanwhile, over at Adelaide Oval, Lance Franklin has kicked 3.1 so far in the final term to make it a nail-biting finish between the Power and Swans.
5.05am EDT 05:05
Jack Viney in on the telly talking about his return to action following a lengthy spell out with his toe injury. He didn’t say anything of note, but he’s sporting an excellent beard, so that’s something.
5.03am EDT 05:03
Last weekend was dominated by a few questionable on-field acts. Scott Heinrich’s column generated plenty of debate. I wonder if the storyline of the round will emerge from tonight’s four quarters?
5.00am EDT 05:00
It is chilly at the G tonight with temperatures unlikely to top 10C, and there’s a northerly breeze to keep an eye on. So far so winter, but conditions could worsen later on with the prospect of showers. Hopefully they’ll hold off until after the final siren.
Following Melbourne’s short lockdown it’s great to see fans back at the footy.
4.51am EDT 04:51
Melbourne XXIII
B: Hunt, May, LeverHB: Hibberd, Petty, SalemC: Jordon, Viney, LangdonHF: Pickett, Fritsch, SparrowF: Neal-Bullen, McDonald, SpargoFOLL: Gawn, Oliver, PetraccaI/C: Harmes, Jackson, Brayshaw, RiversSub: Jones
IN: VineyOUT: Weideman (omitted), Chandler (sub)
Melbourne welcome back Jack Viney for the first time since round 6. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
4.48am EDT 04:48
Essendon XXIII
B: Laverde, Stewart, RidleyHB: Hind, Redman, HeppellC: Langford, Merrett, GuelfiHF: Perkins, Jones, SmithF: Stringer, Hooker, McDonald-TipungwutiFOLL: Draper, Parish, HamI/C: Zerk-Thatcher, Cox, Waterman, WrightSub: Zaharakis
IN: WatermanOUT: Cutler (sub), Cahill (omitted)
Jake Stringer starred for Essendon last time out against Hawthorn. Photograph: Steve Bell/Getty Images
4.32am EDT 04:32
Preamble 
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Essendon v Melbourne from the MCG. This round 15 clash gets underway at 7.25pm.
At the beginning of the season you’d have received some funny looks if you announced this fixture would be among the most interesting – and potentially decisive – of the midseason rounds. But here we are, with the Demons a game clear on top of the ladder, and the Bombers just one win outside the top-eight.
Melbourne are back in action after a bye and they will doubtless have spent the time off figuring out what went wrong in their last outing, a Queen’s Birthday humbling at the hands of Collingwood. They were impressive victors over contenders Brisbane and Western Bulldogs before that, so there’s no reason to overplay an isolated loss, but they will be eager to bounce back and reassert their flag credentials nonetheless.
Essendon have been inconsistent in 2021, but they have shown enough positive signs to suggest they are putting together a group with a very high ceiling, one that isn’t far away from competing in the top half of the ladder. Jake Stringer has hit his straps, Darcy Parish is enjoying a breakout season, and Zach Merrett is finding plenty of the footy.
Richmond’s unexpected decline has opened the door to a side bubbling under the top-eight to sneak into the finals race, and the Bombers are well-placed to take advantage. Two of their next three fixtures are against North Melbourne and Adelaide, so a win tonight would really set the cat amongst the pigeons in the race for the finals.
If you want to join in tonight’s action, fling any thoughts to me by email, or send tweets to @JPHowcroft.
Here’s some old footy to tide you over.