Essendon

Follow along for all the major moments and post-game reactions as Melbourne faces Essendon in Friday night football.

Former Docker Ed Langdon appeared in disbelief after slotting a match-sealing goal from the boundary against Essendon at the MCG on Friday night.

A miracle goal took the game away from the Bombers late in the piece. And while Essendon took it to the reigning premiers, the club sunk to a four-decade ...

Having been the unused medical sub on debut, Tex Wanganeen sparked Essendon's resurgence with a brilliant left foot goal just after half-time. This was a different Essendon to the one that turned up in round one. Despite being without recent best and ...

Clayton Oliver won the ball in tight and James Harmes kicked two straight goals, the team’s radar suddenly zeroing in on its target when goals had to be kicked.The Demons’ response was strong but Essendon will kick themselves that they made things easier for their opposition with defender Mason Redman and midfielder Jye Caldwell making mistakes that created opportunities for opposition goals.When Sam Weideman, who kicked four goals replacing straight shooting Ben Brown after the key forward entered the league’s health and safety protocols, kicked a brilliant goal from the boundary the Demons looked to have reached calmer waters.But Essendon fought throughout and Jake Stringer popped up with two goals to regain the lead. Despite being without recent best and fairests - Zach Merrett through injury, and Devon Smith, the medical sub as a result of a form slump - they played with an energy that had been missing for all but one quarter in the first two rounds.It gave Melbourne a fright as they had meandered through the first half as though the result was inevitable and their spot at the top of the ladder was as assured as an annual campsite booking at a coastal caravan park.During that period the Demons were inaccurate in front of goal, inefficient with the ball and treating each possession as though there were many more coming if a few were wasted.They took a meagre lead of nine points into half-time after Essendon kicked back-to-back goals within a minute in the second quarter to stay in touch.Then the game erupted as though it had hit an unforeseen stretch of whitewater and the Demons were suddenly scrambling to find a way home while Essendon came fast and hard.Wanganeen benefited from the renewed urgency when he edged another father-son in Melbourne’s Joel Smith under the ball, gathered the loose pill and snapped the first of what promises to be many exciting goals.The scoreboard showed his famous father Gavin Wanganeen dancing with mates in the stands as the umpire waved two flags and the youngster’s teammates descended upon him. Essendon have lost the opening three games of the season for the first time since 1967 as Melbourne extended their winning run to 10 in a messy encounter at the MCG.But the Bombers did not go down without a fight, forcing the Demons to dig deep as they led twice during a frenetic third quarter when they displayed some of the form that earned them a finals berth last season.They did not lie down for a moment, forcing Melbourne to draw on all their skill to put the result beyond doubt when Essendon threatened late in the game. It was only after Ed Langdon, who was outstanding, kicked a goal he will never forget with five minutes remaining that victory was sealed.Having been the unused medical sub on debut, Tex Wanganeen sparked Essendon’s resurgence with a brilliant left foot goal just after half-time.This was a different Essendon to the one that turned up in round one. Then Peter Wright came alight for Bombers with two strong marks and long goals to put the Bombers in front for the first time.Melbourne were forced to wake up, and they began to show the grit that won them a flag in 2021. We’re working to restore it.