This was meant to be a leisurely stroll in the park for the Bombers, a low-key tune-up to blow out the Anzac Day cobwebs before next week's blockbuster clash with Geelong. Sure, the 'Dons were missing several key players, but the fact was they were the undefeated top team taking on the winless cellar dweller after enjoying a nine-day break since their previous engagement. But one of the great upsets appeared more than just a distinct possibility for the best part of three quarters after the Giants kicked six of the opening seven goals. Essendon coach James Hird was sufficiently concerned to move to the interchange bench midway through the first term, and his side managed just two goals until just before half-time before the seemingly inevitable comeback began.
2. Bomber blitz
Five minutes into the third term, Essendon was 28 points down after kicking just three goals, but they finally clicked into the gear that most onlookers had expected from the start. The Bombers faithful, suddenly fearful of what would have been an embarrassing loss, began cheering as hard as they did on Anzac Day as their side piled on the next seven goals to lead by 18 points at the last change, regaining the lead for the first time since three minutes into the match. In that period, Essendon's 16 inside 50s resulted in 14 scores, netting 7.7.
3. Jumpin' Jeremy is flash
We've known for some time that Jeremy Cameron is going to be a star, and the 20-year-old Giants forward simply reinforced this view against the Bombers. He kicked three of the Giants' first four goals – two of them from strong contested marks and clinical conversions – and had five on the board just five minutes into the third term. In a lone hand in attack and opposed by Tayte Pears (twice) and Cale Hooker, Cameron ended up with a handful of contested grabs and a career-best haul of six goals. It's a tantalising prospect to ponder how good he will be, especially in tandem with fellow young gun Jonathon Patton (currently injured).
4. Terrific Tom
In the first half, Tom Scully produced the kind of effort that talent scouts identified many winters ago. The high-priced Giants midfielder obliterated Essendon playmaker Brent Stanton in the opening two-and-a-bit quarters until Stanton was substituted out of the match with an apparent groin injury. To that stage, Scully had 16 disposals and slotted two goals, while restricting Stanton to just eight touches. Jacob Townsend also did a great job on Bombers skipper Jobe Watson, with the Giants pair largely responsible for their side leading the clearances 31-16 by the third term. Debutant Aidan Corr, who moved to Australia with his family as a young boy, also kept Stewart Crameri under wraps until half-time, after which the powerful Don dominated.
5. Sheedy's final bow in front of the Bomber faithful
Four-time Essendon premiership coach Kevin Sheedy would have loved nothing more than masterminding a boilover against his old side in his first and final game against the Bombers in Melbourne. Sheedy will, of course, coach against Essendon in round 17 at Skoda Stadium, but this was a mini-milestone nonetheless. His record against his former longtime skipper James Hird is 0-2, but the old fox now has a little sniff of a late-season upset. Sheedy, who coached the Bombers at Etihad Stadium 73 times, will hand over the coaching job to assistant coach Leon Cameron at the end of the season.
