'Disastrous' Bombers savaged by experts
A round one humiliation at the hands of the GWS Giants has led to a cavalcade of criticism for the Essendon Bombers.
The Giants handed the highly-rated Bombers a footballing lesson on Sunday afternoon in Sydney.
The 16.16 (112) to 5.10 (40) shellacking even caught the ire of veteran AFL broadcaster Bruce McAvaney, who savaged the Bombers’ effort in the game’s dying stages.
“It’s gone from not good to disastrous for the Bombers,” he said on Channel 7 during the fourth quarter.
“How could you dish this up in round one? It’s a massive disappointment from such a big club.
“Suddenly you wouldn’t back them to beat anyone.”
McAvaney wasn’t alone in his criticism of Essendon’s round one performance.
Bombers fans and football experts alike were quick to pile on the performance on Twitter.
Forget a backup, I couldn’t identify Essendon’s Plan A today at Giants Stadium.
They went slow, bombed it inside 50 and their fwd half pressure took a massive step back.
They really missed a lead-up target, but that was just the start.#AFLGiantsDons
— Phil Prior (@Phil_Prior) March 24, 2019
One of the worst bombers performances I can remember. Completely outworked and just refused to get numbers to the contest. I fail to comprehend how you can’t be up for the fight in round 1. #AFLGiantsDons
— Ben M (@bennymoss20) March 24, 2019
There comes a point when the coach has to be held responsible. Players are showing little intent or hunger for the footy so why are they getting a game?! #AFLGiantsDons
— Shane Moore (@4Moorey) March 24, 2019
We kept hearing about team defence at Essendon over summer. They just gave up 32 shots at goal. Players intensity spectacularly lacking. Inspid really #AFLGIANTSDons
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) March 24, 2019
Comfortably the most disappointing result in Worsfold's time at Essendon. At least in 2016 you couldn't accuse his players of not having a crack. Bombers' worst performance probably since Hird's last game as coach against Adelaide in 2015 #AFLGiantsDons
— Ronny Lerner (@RonnyLerner) March 24, 2019
‘We played very poorly’: Worsfold
Essendon coach John Worsfold was quick to play down expectations for the team after the game.
The Bombers have been a popular tip to surge up the ladder after finishing 11th last season, but Worsfold doesn’t think his players are guilty of believing their own hype.
“You don’t expect to step out in round one and be so far off the mark against the opposition, so we were very disappointed by that,” Worsfold said.
“… I don’t think we started favourites, so we lost a game that most people expected us not to win, (but) that doesn’t make it feel any better
“We played very poorly, well below the level we would like to be playing at.”
WITH AAP