This fixture was a mismatch.
Big-time.
Essendon could not have copped Geelong at a worse time in terms of player availability, and with the Cats really purring and setting themselves up for another deep September run, the Bombers were in trouble.
This match was always potentially a recipe for a one-sided affair. Essendon has been brutally cut down by injuries in 2025. Not that the Bombers were a definite flag fancy, but their fans can feel that a season they could’ve legitimately been aiming to break their finals curse, has quickly turned to one of blooding youth. They’ve been hit particularly hard in defence, and the Geelong forwards would’ve been licking their lips to get a crack at the inexperienced Bomber defenders.
Bombers fans know this too well, but injuries are a legitimate excuse for them for this performance. They fielded a ridiculously young side and asked them to match up on all-time stars of the game.
Essendon did have some good performances and some signs of things to come once they have some reinforcements return and some more development into some players. They were beaten by the better team and were up for the fight for three quarters. They had stretches where they took control of the game and showed glimpses. But that was all they were. Glimpses.
These glimpses evaporated at the three-quarter-time siren. Essendon were trailing by 49. Completely outplayed but resilient, and being led by the likes of Merrett, Setterfield and Goldstien. Then the Cats did something they have done all year. Took control of the last quarter, piling on seven goals to none in an onslaught that would’ve broken the spirit of any club.
The Cats are the kings of last quarters in 2025. In seven of their 14 games so far this season, they held their opposition to one goal or completely goalless. The most goals they have conceded in a fourth quarter is three. Sure, they are not infallible, and teams have beaten them, but they don’t get dominated or bullied. They do the dominating.
So let’s get into the stuff that mattered in this match…
The Best Stuff
The Dash Brothers
You cannot start talking the best parts of this match without starting with the Dash brothers.
Max Holmes and Bailey Smith are linked, thanks to Leigh Montagna’s foresight into how lethal of a combination they would become for Geelong. He coined it early, and it has stuck for those following the punditry on Fox Footy.
The numbers speak for themselves in this game. They were everywhere. 77 disposals, 19 inside 50’s, 12 centre clearances, over 1600 metres gained. It’s not a question of if they are in the votes on Brownlow night, but who gets the two and who gets the three.
Smith has been much lauded for his immediate impact at the Cats, but Max Holmes has seemingly been overlooked, potentially being mistaken for being the Robin to Smith’s Batman. That is wrong. They are both Batman!
Captain Efficiency
Patrick Dangerfield only had 11 disposals in the match. But ten were score involvements. He kicked two goals himself and also had a lazy five goal assists (which would’ve been six or seven without some crazy misses by his teammates). It’s been said a thousand times, and will likely be said a few more, but the x-factor Dangerfield gives Geelong up forward is huge.
A towering presence in the forward line who can clunk pack marks and win the footy on the deck is one hell of an ace-in-the-hole for Chris Scott and his coaching team.
Dangerfield has effectively forced Ollie Henry out of this Cats team, and it is unlikely he’s going to let him back in, given what we saw in this one, and compred to what Ollie has been producing.
The Good Stuff
The Bombers Midfield
Yes, they got blown away in the centre clearances, and were caught out on transition, but that was likely a result of them covering to for less experienced teammates. When the game was on Essendon’s terms, it was on the back of the efforts of a select few. Merrett, Setterfield, Caldwell, Parish and Goldstein. And around the ground, when the bomber did force a stoppage, they were holding their own with the Cats in that area. It was just when the ball left that area, that the Cats had far too much experience and class. The Cats dump kick to a contest where Cameron and Dangerfield matched up on kids. The Bombers dump kick forward to Tom Stewart who has read the ball better than their own forwards.
A special mention to Setterfield for his big chase down of Max Holmes late in the second quarter. It wasn’t enough to get a holding-the-ball decision, but it was enough to stop a certain goal. Every defender wishes their midfielders chased that hard.
The Not So Good Stuff
Jade Gresham
Just needed to see more from Gresham. He had a good start to the contest with an early goal and five disposals in the first quarter. But then he just became a ghost, which is not good enough for one of the few experienced players on the field for the Bombers. Gresham had to find more way to get involved and stay involved. Particularly as other younger teammates did just that when things weren’t going their way.
If you Don’t Mind Umpire
Unsure what happened in the second quarter. The ball was kicked long at the Essendon goal and appeared to bounce back from on the line. Stewart gathered for Geelong and stopped for a moment and looked at goal umpire, David Rodan. With no signal given, Stewart played on and continued with the football. Then, about ten seconds later, the ball was called back from just outside the Geelong forward fifty. The ARC had reviewed the footage, and the ball had actually crossed the line. There should be a more common-sense solution to this situation.
Some Other Stuff
Ruck Battle
Thought Goldstein battled well all day, but Rhys Stanley is just an unusual ruck. Got some looks up forward and could’ve had a big day. I think Goldstein did enough to be classed as a winner.
Mind your Mannaghs’
Shaun Mannagh has been a revelation for the Cats since being recruited prior to the 2024 season. However, he still has a tendency to get selfish when in range of the goals. It doesn’t matter in a game against Essendon in round 14, but in a preliminary Final in front of 90,000+ people, it can be a game changing mistake. Just saying.
The Wrap
Essendon
Review the first three quarters and take some learnings form the game. Be happy with the efforts of some of the younger players like Johnson and Prior (got beat but battled and kept their heads up). Hope that the next time these two teams meet you’ve got some of your starting players back to make it a more competitive match. Things don’t seem to get easier either, with a five-day break for a trip to Perth to play Fremantle.
Geelong
A good confidence boosting win. The Cats just need to keep on keeping on. Don’t get carried away with a big win against a young team. Time to refocus on the big match-up next Friday night at Kardinia Park against Brisbane. A top two finish and potentially not having to travel interstate during September is on the line. Nothing is certain at this time of the year, but it would greatly improve their odds.
