Essendon have taken their high-octane recreation up a gear, notching a sixth triple-figure rating of the season in an 18-point win over Adelaide.
Peter Wright kicked three targets and Zach Merrett continued his excellent season because the Bombers moved to fifth on the AFL ladder with a 17.13 (115) to fifteen.7 (97) victory on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.
The end result has arrange an enormous conflict with reigning premiers Geelong subsequent spherical however has come at a price, with key defender Jordan Ridley sustaining a knee damage quickly after half-time.
The fall-out may but develop worse, with ruckman Andrew Phillips to face scrutiny over a excessive bump on Sam Jacobs within the dying phases.
Just about the whole lot else clicked for Essendon, who managed the pace of the competition from the outset and cashed in on their midfield dominance with an expansion of 10 goalkickers.
Merrett racked up 38 disposals and 4 clearances as fellow ball-winners Darcy Parish (39, eight) and Andrew McGrath (31 touches) additionally obtained their palms soiled.
Teen midfielder Ben Hobbs (20 disposals, six clearances) impressed and Wright, the focus in assault, hit the scoreboard for the primary time in a month.
The Bombers’ main goalkicker Kyle Langford matched Wright’s tally of three majors, taking his season complete to 32, whereas Jye Menzie and Matt Guelfi added two apiece.
Rory Laird (31 disposals, 10 clearances) and Jordan Dawson (28, six) by no means gave up for Adelaide, whereas Coleman Medal chief Taylor Walker, Izak Rankine and Luke Pedlar kicked two targets every.
Early within the recreation, it was Essendon’s centre-bounce dominance and lightning ball motion that informed the story as they piled on 5 of the primary six targets inside 13 minutes.
It laid the platform for his or her equal highest-scoring opening time period since 2012 and a 7.6 to five.1 lead at quarter-time.
The free-flowing contest continued within the second quarter because the relentless Bombers elevated their benefit to 37 factors by the principle break and introduced followers to their ft as they left the sector.
The targets dried up after half-time however that suited Essendon, who have been in a position to maintain their opponents at a secure distance.
Adelaide received the ultimate quarter 38-24 so as to add some respectability to the scoreboard in a loss that price them their spot within the high eight.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
