Proving the old adage that a week is a long time in football, a flat-sounding Knights – perhaps as a result of a winter lurgy – faced the media after the Magpies had convincingly beaten his men at the MCG by 35 points, 15.12 (102) to 9.13 (67).
Only seven days earlier, the Bombers trounced Carlton at the same venue by almost 12 goals to move a step closer to the top four.
But after this week’s loss, they are likely to remain in the top eight only on percentage.
“[It was] a hurdle tonight, we were beaten but it’s a journey and we’ve got to get started again and we’ve got a big interstate trip playing Sydney next weekend,” Knights said after the match.
The Bombers coach said his team had come up against a Collingwood team “fully loaded” for the round 14 clash and, while he was happy enough his side’s endeavour for the most part, the opposition’s willingness to run and his own team’s inability to inflict damage when given its chance proved costly.
“I thought they out-worked us, particularly through the middle of the ground … and then when we had the opportunity to hurt Collingwood going inside 50 we certainly bumbled and fumbled tonight,” he said.
“We didn’t go in there with any efficiency or any preciseness. We kicked 1.10 from 40m-plus and two out on the full, so when you run at that type of scenario you’re going to get hurt by a good football team.”
Collingwood set up its victory with a superb second term in which it booted 7.3 to 1.2.
“I don’t know whether I definitely saw it coming; I thought we were quite competitive in the first quarter,” Knights said.
“They really burst into space hard in that second quarter. I think they clearly put the foot down and out-worked us and a six-goal margin in that second quarter was the telling fact.”
The absence of midfielders Jobe Watson and Mark McVeigh hurt Essendon around the clearances but Knights also acknowledged the role Josh Fraser had on the contest.
The Collingwood ruckman was arguably best afield as he had 35 hit-outs, collected 23 disposals and booted a goal, with Knights saying he “clearly out-pointed” Bomber pair Paddy Ryder and Cale Hooker.
“He had a big night,” Knights said of Fraser.
“Fraser not only fixed up Ryder on the night but he got hold of Hooker and got a little bit of support from Leigh Brown as well.”
Knights said the Bombers hoped Angus Monfries – who came off with a hamstring – had only suffered “tightness” while Courtenay Dempsey copped a poke in the eye and should be okay for next week.
