The Bombers fielded a very young side which included most of their indigenous players but the signs were positive from the outset in their 2.11.16 (100) to 2.8.7 (73) victory.
The only sour note came with Scott Gumbleton appearing to tear a hamstring quite seriously. The 19-year-old West Australian youngster was in tears when he came from the field in the first half. Ruckman David Hille was also forced from the field with a shoulder injury late in the third term but it was not considered serious.
The Lions looked underdone and were without a host of stars – including Simon Black, Daniel Bradshaw, Daniel Merrett, Mitch Clark and Jonathan Brown – but the Bombers were also more than a few good men down.
Their absentee list included captain Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas, Dustin Fletcher, Andrew Welsh, Brent Stanton, Mark McVeigh, Andrew Lovett, Jobe Watson, Alwyn Davey, Adam Ramanauskas and Jason Winderlich.
Lions fans will not be too disheartened by their side’s performance, and much of their enthusiasm will stem from the display of No.1 draft pick Lachlan Henderson – one of five draftees to debut for the Lions.
Opposed to ex-Lion Mal Michael, Henderson presented strongly, showed a deft touch at ground level and, with three goals, indicated he will be a handy foil for Brown.
One of the Lions’ other ‘new boys’, former Demon Travis Johnstone, caught the eye with some pin-point delivery, while second-year player Albert Proud looks set to push for regular senior selection following a committed effort in the midfield.
The Dons had good contributions from right across the field with youngsters Jay Nash, Courtenay Dempsey, Bachar Houli and Angus Monfries seeing plenty of the ball.
Essendon was firmly in control by half time, having opened up a 31-point margin in greasy Carrara conditions. The Bombers extended their lead slightly to 33 points at the final change and were never seriously challenged in the last quarter.
Experienced Jason Johnson also came into the match the further the contest went.
Hille was a strong focal point up forward before his injury, booting three goals before half time, while Nathan Lovett-Murray was a constant danger, kicking two goals.
Surprisingly, Essendon had the majority of support in the Lions’ home state and they made the most of it, jumping quickly from the blocks.
With Monfries and Dyson winning plenty of ball around the ground and captain Adam McPhee proving a lively target across half-forward, the Bombers leapt to an early two-goal lead.
The Bombers really got away with four goals in a seven-minute burst in the second quarter, courtesy of Hille, workaholic Monfries, Patrick Ryder’s set shot from 45m, and Johns’ mark and goal from the same distance.
The third quarter was scrappy with Essendon kicking 1.8 to the Lions’ lone super goal to Jared Brennan, who was the beneficiary of a relayed free kick.
As the rain started to fall in the final quarter, the contest petered out.
The Lions kicked the first two goals, but Johnson steadied for Essendon with his soccered effort off the ground.
The Bombers play the Western Bulldogs in next week’s quarter-final.
Essendon 1.4.2 2.9.2 2.10.10 2.11.16 (100)
Brisbane Lions 1.2.2 1.5.4 2.5.6 2.8.7 (73)
GOALS
Essendon: Nine-point goals: Reimers, Lovett-Murray. Goals: Hille 3, Peverill 2, Lovett-Murray, Lonergan, Monfries, Ryder, Johns, Johnson
Brisbane Lions: Nine-point goals: Brennan 2. Goals: Henderson 3, Notting 2, Kiel 2, Brennan
BEST
Essendon: Hille, Dyson, Nash, Laycock
Brisbane Lions: Power, Stiller, Johnstone, Brennan
Umpires: M Avon J Schmitt S Wenn
Crowd: 10,078 at Gold Coast Stadium.
