Essendon Bombers vs GWS Giants LIVE: Ailing Bombers chase Marvel miracle win against Giants
The Bombers' tumultuous season plagued by injuries continues to worsen after losing star playmaker Nic Martin (knee) and midfielder Will Setterfield (foot) long-term in Saturday night's ugly loss against Richmond.
Essendon confirmed on Wednesday young midfielder Elijah Tsatas had also joined the injury list after straining his hamstring during the defeat.
Rising forward Nate Caddy and midfielder Ben Hobbs were also injured, but are expected to only miss a week.
Essendon will equal the most debutants in a season in the AFL era - 13 - when mid-season draftee Liam McMahon plays against the Giants at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
Archie Perkins, Jade Gresham, Vigo Visentini, Dylan Shiel and Matt Guelfi also come into the side amidst a whopping six changes, with veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein rested.
Bombers coach Brad Scott was almost lost for words when detailing the injury crisis after the Richmond game, but was more upbeat a day out from facing the Giants.
'A five-day break, there's no time to be getting distracted from what I need to do,' Scott said on Wednesday.
'I do have the utmost confidence in the people who are looking at our program. There's no doubt we will relocate resources to that (medical conditioning) space.
'We know better than anyone this year how important it is to get your players fit and available.
'It's hard not to be really frustrated, almost exasperated, just devastating seeing players like Nic Martin and Will Setterfield suffer really serious injuries.
'It's been a perfect storm of a whole range of different injuries all coming together at once.
'There are moments, don't get me wrong, where we all - including me - feel sorry for ourselves, but we've got to bounce out of that really quickly.'
Martin became the fourth Bomber to injure their ACL this season, joining Nick Bryan, Lewis Hayes and Tom Edwards.
Sam Draper will also be sidelined for up to 12 months after rupturing his achilles in April.
Essendon will have 11 first-choice players sidelined against GWS - Martin, Setterfield, Caddy, Hobbs, Draper, Darcy Parish, Jye Caldwell, Kyle Langford, Ben McKay, Harry Jones and Zach Reid.
The Bombers will be spared GWS at their best, with Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan and star midfielder Josh Kelly to miss the trip to Melbourne.
But GWS veteran Stephen Coniglio will make his long-awaited AFL return, having overcome a glute complaint stemming from a nerve issue suffered earlier this season.
The Giants also recalled Max Gruzewski and Toby McMullin.
Essendon will be facing up to former star Jake Stringer in Giants colours for the first time.
Stringer booted 207 goals in 123 games for the Bombers before seeking a move to GWS last off-season.
After a frustrating start to his time in western Sydney, the 31-year-old hit some serious form against Geelong last week with four goals.
'I played seven or eight years with some of those guys that have gone down with long-term injuries. My heart goes out to them,' Stringer said of Essendon's injury crisis.
'We won't be going out Thursday night taking them lightly.
'We'll be going out there thinking they're full-strength and getting after it.'
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The Age
15 hours ago
- The Age
A mid-season competition: Footy's next frontier, or AFLX 2.0?
Senior figures at league headquarters have privately conceded in recent weeks that they may have jumped too quickly at fixturing Thursday nights every week. They are considering scaling back in 2026. The cause of the angst created by a glut of dud Thursday and Friday night matches can be traced way back to March and an event not even the all-powerful AFL could control. As AFL boss Andrew Dillon approached the league's season launch at Sydney's Luna Park, he wasn't just dealing with a fixture storm. It was an actual storm. A cyclone, actually. Cyclone Alfred. Brisbane's season-opener against Geelong had to be called off. Hours earlier, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli had detailed the crisis plans he has for his state ahead of the predicted wild and wet weather. Two days later, the league announced Gold Coast's clash with Essendon would be moved to the end of the season. It was a decision that raised eyebrows across the competition. Was it better for Gold Coast and Essendon players because it allowed them to keep their mid-season bye? Yes. Was it an unnecessary risk given how it could compromise the latter stages of the fixture? Also yes. Loading 'When looking at the rescheduling of these matches we had a focus on having the least amount of disruption on the competition, ensuring that all clubs still have a mid-season bye and managing travel arrangements across the season – particularly for the four impacted clubs,' Dillon said on March 6. Dillon, who is seen as more consultative than his ruthless predecessor Gillon McLachlan, allowed the Bombers and the Suns to take part in the discussion about when their game should be played. Fast-forward five months and Essendon have had a disastrous season, as an injury crisis unfolded that resulted in a record 14 debutants at a club already struggling to overcome years of stunted development. And yet the Bombers continued to be given prime-time slots. Dillon tried to argue this week that Essendon was in solid enough form when the floating fixture was locked in. That's not untrue. But the bit he left out was that fixture gurus were hamstrung by a decision they made five months earlier. Essendon will play Friday night against Geelong in round 22, on a Thursday night against St Kilda in round 22 and a Thursday night against Carlton in round 24 (which is yet to be officially announced). That's designed to allow the Bombers to prepare for a final game against Gold Coast on Wednesday, August 27, after round 24 and before the pre-finals bye. Essendon fans could be forgiven for switching off, if they haven't already. Add to this a succession of lopsided matches - round 20 featured the fifth-biggest aggregate this century – and the fact that only one finals spot has realistically been up for grabs since mid-July, and the atmosphere of concern at AFL House is understandable. To be fair, 13 teams were still in the contention at the same stage last year, and few could have foreseen that another powerhouse club, Carlton, would join the Bombers and Richmond in the bottom rungs of the ladder. The view from clubland The revelation by this masthead last month that the AFL is considering a secondary tournament during the season has been met with scepticism among clubs. This masthead has canvassed eight club presidents, chief executives and football bosses, most of whom have expressed reservations about the merits of a mid-season competition. The scepticism is fuelled partly by the lack of clear detail about the concept, which, according to one figure present at the July meeting of club CEOs where it was tabled, was discussed for no more than five minutes. Though some have welcomed the idea of creating more 'winning moments' and applauded the AFL for being open to change, there are concerns over the impact it could have on the premiership season. While there is an appetite for innovation inside AFL headquarters, one club president likened the idea to a widely ridiculed format trialled by the league in 2018-19. 'This might be the modern-day AFLX,' the club president said, referring to the novelty competition that is best remembered by fans for the garish promotional image featuring former league boss Gillon McLachlan accompanied by a parachutist, circus acrobats and a football-shaped mascot. But AFL executives are seriously discussing an in-season competition. How would it work? The concept is very much at 'ideation stage', according to sources in the industry, as evident in the wide range of ideas put forward. The competition could be part of the regular home and away season, be completely separate and spread across the season over, say, three rounds or be played in a concentrated block. A knockout FA Cup-style competition was also put forward. One suggestion was for the games to be played à la Gather Round in the one region or across multiple states with more than one trophy available. The winner of the matches played in Queensland, for example, could take home the Sunshine Bowl. The idea of matches being played in the Northern Territory, New Zealand and even the US are all up for discussion, according to a source present at the meeting. The league's broadcast partners, Seven and Foxtel, are not across the details either, but Fox has expressed its willingness to explore new ideas. 'Post-season, we will work with the AFL and consider any innovations they put forward to grow the game,' a Foxtel spokesperson said. Is a mid-season prize worth winning? There is only one trophy that matters – the premiership cup – and changing this deeply ingrained belief requires plenty of thought. Just as they did with the demise of State of Origin in the 1990s and the pre-season tournament that was disbanded in 2013 after being a major hit in the 1990s and early 2000s, clubs hold the key to whether a competition or concept will succeed. As history has shown, for it to be accepted by the fans, the best players need to play, but clubs won't field their stars to win a Mickey Mouse tournament if it jeopardises their premiership bid. Would Collingwood risk veterans Scott Pendlebury or Steele Sidebottom in a secondary comp? Would Dusty Martin or Buddy Franklin really come out of retirement to play in it? A golden ticket into September has also been floated. However, as several figures have noted, this would undermine the integrity of the home and away season. Other potential prizes include a single premiership point, which could be of huge value to clubs with inferior percentages, draft picks and soft cap releases, though there was a feeling among club chiefs the latter two would not be a sufficient carrot. Loading 'It would be taken more seriously if you were guaranteed finals,' a club president said. 'That becomes valuable, you can lock it away. If that came at the expense of someone above them, then you can imagine the hue and cry. Other than that, I can't see clubs treating it really seriously.' Club leaders are more open to a finals wildcard round, and the AFL's new football boss Greg Swann said this week the league would consider that option upon Tasmania's entry. This would essentially create a top 10 in a 19-team competition.
The Advertiser
18 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Swan stakes All-Australian claim in win over Bombers
Sydney have handed Essendon a ninth consecutive loss, defeating the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy contest in slippery conditions at the superstar Errol Gulden kicked the first goal of the game in his 100th AFL match, and the hosts were never headed thereafter, cruising to a 9.14 (68) to 7.12 (54) win on Saturday. Ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his excellent form, giving Sydney's midfielders first use around stoppages while winning 13 clearances and 39 disposals, including 16 in the final 31-year-old has polled coaches' votes in his last seven games and is making a late run as a contender for the All-Australian ruck mantle. "Not only his ability to cover the ground, but his intensity around the ball has been a big highlight for a long period of time," Sydney coach Dean Cox said post-match. "He's had a very, very impressive season." With Nick Blakey (28 disposals, 678m gained) controlling play from the back half, and Gulden (30 disposals, 575m gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals, 14 contested) dominant through the middle, the Swans never looked like losing. Sydney lacked an obvious focal point in attack, with Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean on the sidelines, but found goals through Braeden Campbell and Justin McInerney, who kicked two each. Jack Buller's classy drop punt goal from a set shot on the boundary was a rare highlight on a scrappy day where the two sides combined for 26 behinds and only 16 goals. Livewire Tom Papley managed just one goal and was well-held by first-gamer Jayden Nguyen, Essendon's 14th debutant for 2025. Essendon battled hard around the contest throughout, finishing with just eight fewer contested possessions, six more tackles and four more clearances than the Swans. But the gap in class was clear when it came to ball use. The Swans had 115 more uncontested disposals, and were able to change angles and string together chains of handballs, while the Bombers were impotent with the ball in 16 players unavailable due to injury, Essendon looked undermanned and often uninspired, regularly kicking the ball long down the line for little reward on the scoreboard."We fought hard but there are just a lot of things we've got to improve on," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "I don't think our supporters would've watched that and thought there was a lack of effort from our players - maybe a lack of class and experience, but we'll keep working on that." Essendon managed just four goals to three-quarter time, but mounted a late challenge in the final term through goals from Mason Redman, Isaac Kako and Lachie Blakiston. But with the margin trimmed to 13 points, Sydney settled and took control, slowing down play and chipping the ball around to wind down the clock for the final 10 minutes. Sam Durham battled manfully for the Bombers, while Rising Star contender Archie Roberts showed great composure in the back half. In an unusual sight, play was stopped for a short period in the first quarter while a grounds-keeper took to the field to fill a hole in the ground with sand. It's not the first issue the SCG has had with its surface this year, with the ground called into question after Sydney's round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which players continually slipped over. Finals is out of the equation for Sydney, but the Swans are desperate to head into 2026 with confidence and momentum. "I didn't find it tough to get motivated," Cox said. "As a footy club we have to finish the year off as well as we possibly can." Sydney have handed Essendon a ninth consecutive loss, defeating the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy contest in slippery conditions at the superstar Errol Gulden kicked the first goal of the game in his 100th AFL match, and the hosts were never headed thereafter, cruising to a 9.14 (68) to 7.12 (54) win on Saturday. Ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his excellent form, giving Sydney's midfielders first use around stoppages while winning 13 clearances and 39 disposals, including 16 in the final 31-year-old has polled coaches' votes in his last seven games and is making a late run as a contender for the All-Australian ruck mantle. "Not only his ability to cover the ground, but his intensity around the ball has been a big highlight for a long period of time," Sydney coach Dean Cox said post-match. "He's had a very, very impressive season." With Nick Blakey (28 disposals, 678m gained) controlling play from the back half, and Gulden (30 disposals, 575m gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals, 14 contested) dominant through the middle, the Swans never looked like losing. Sydney lacked an obvious focal point in attack, with Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean on the sidelines, but found goals through Braeden Campbell and Justin McInerney, who kicked two each. Jack Buller's classy drop punt goal from a set shot on the boundary was a rare highlight on a scrappy day where the two sides combined for 26 behinds and only 16 goals. Livewire Tom Papley managed just one goal and was well-held by first-gamer Jayden Nguyen, Essendon's 14th debutant for 2025. Essendon battled hard around the contest throughout, finishing with just eight fewer contested possessions, six more tackles and four more clearances than the Swans. But the gap in class was clear when it came to ball use. The Swans had 115 more uncontested disposals, and were able to change angles and string together chains of handballs, while the Bombers were impotent with the ball in 16 players unavailable due to injury, Essendon looked undermanned and often uninspired, regularly kicking the ball long down the line for little reward on the scoreboard."We fought hard but there are just a lot of things we've got to improve on," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "I don't think our supporters would've watched that and thought there was a lack of effort from our players - maybe a lack of class and experience, but we'll keep working on that." Essendon managed just four goals to three-quarter time, but mounted a late challenge in the final term through goals from Mason Redman, Isaac Kako and Lachie Blakiston. But with the margin trimmed to 13 points, Sydney settled and took control, slowing down play and chipping the ball around to wind down the clock for the final 10 minutes. Sam Durham battled manfully for the Bombers, while Rising Star contender Archie Roberts showed great composure in the back half. In an unusual sight, play was stopped for a short period in the first quarter while a grounds-keeper took to the field to fill a hole in the ground with sand. It's not the first issue the SCG has had with its surface this year, with the ground called into question after Sydney's round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which players continually slipped over. Finals is out of the equation for Sydney, but the Swans are desperate to head into 2026 with confidence and momentum. "I didn't find it tough to get motivated," Cox said. "As a footy club we have to finish the year off as well as we possibly can." Sydney have handed Essendon a ninth consecutive loss, defeating the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy contest in slippery conditions at the superstar Errol Gulden kicked the first goal of the game in his 100th AFL match, and the hosts were never headed thereafter, cruising to a 9.14 (68) to 7.12 (54) win on Saturday. Ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his excellent form, giving Sydney's midfielders first use around stoppages while winning 13 clearances and 39 disposals, including 16 in the final 31-year-old has polled coaches' votes in his last seven games and is making a late run as a contender for the All-Australian ruck mantle. "Not only his ability to cover the ground, but his intensity around the ball has been a big highlight for a long period of time," Sydney coach Dean Cox said post-match. "He's had a very, very impressive season." With Nick Blakey (28 disposals, 678m gained) controlling play from the back half, and Gulden (30 disposals, 575m gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals, 14 contested) dominant through the middle, the Swans never looked like losing. Sydney lacked an obvious focal point in attack, with Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean on the sidelines, but found goals through Braeden Campbell and Justin McInerney, who kicked two each. Jack Buller's classy drop punt goal from a set shot on the boundary was a rare highlight on a scrappy day where the two sides combined for 26 behinds and only 16 goals. Livewire Tom Papley managed just one goal and was well-held by first-gamer Jayden Nguyen, Essendon's 14th debutant for 2025. Essendon battled hard around the contest throughout, finishing with just eight fewer contested possessions, six more tackles and four more clearances than the Swans. But the gap in class was clear when it came to ball use. The Swans had 115 more uncontested disposals, and were able to change angles and string together chains of handballs, while the Bombers were impotent with the ball in 16 players unavailable due to injury, Essendon looked undermanned and often uninspired, regularly kicking the ball long down the line for little reward on the scoreboard."We fought hard but there are just a lot of things we've got to improve on," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "I don't think our supporters would've watched that and thought there was a lack of effort from our players - maybe a lack of class and experience, but we'll keep working on that." Essendon managed just four goals to three-quarter time, but mounted a late challenge in the final term through goals from Mason Redman, Isaac Kako and Lachie Blakiston. But with the margin trimmed to 13 points, Sydney settled and took control, slowing down play and chipping the ball around to wind down the clock for the final 10 minutes. Sam Durham battled manfully for the Bombers, while Rising Star contender Archie Roberts showed great composure in the back half. In an unusual sight, play was stopped for a short period in the first quarter while a grounds-keeper took to the field to fill a hole in the ground with sand. It's not the first issue the SCG has had with its surface this year, with the ground called into question after Sydney's round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which players continually slipped over. Finals is out of the equation for Sydney, but the Swans are desperate to head into 2026 with confidence and momentum. "I didn't find it tough to get motivated," Cox said. "As a footy club we have to finish the year off as well as we possibly can."
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Scrappy Swans get the job done over Essendon in Gulden's 100th
If anybody needed a metaphor for Sydney's 2025 season, it came in the form of a paint bucket filled with sand. When, about 10 minutes into Saturday's wild and briefly wet 14-point defeat of Essendon, a work-booted groundsman lolloped onto the field and out to the centre square, then reached into the weathered white bucket and used its contents to fill a pronounced divot in the SCG pitch. A mid-game turf repair at a venue notorious all year for its patchy surface since that Andrea Bocelli concert in April. A venue that is also the Swans' home ground in their own fitful campaign that was confirmed as fruitless even before the bounce. Last weekend's capitulation to crosstown rivals GWS hammered the final nail in the coffin of a tough first year for coach Dean Cox marked by relentless injuries and dampened confidence. On Saturday everything was a bit damp, and the weather could not be held solely responsible for the poor kicking and lacklustre play as both sides saw out this consolation clash in front of a comparatively sparse crowd by Swans standards. And the younger among the 20,805 who turned up to watch the hosts withstand a nervy late Bombers comeback, a win that's building towards nothing must feel kind of foreign. This time last year, the Swans were headed for a 24th finals campaign in 29 years. Here they bettered the Bombers in the bleak knowledge that this September will not feature any footy for only the sixth time in the last 30 years. Only the rusted-on of pre-1996 – the year John Howard was elected prime minister and The Wiggles released Wake Up Jeff! – will fully understand the half a century of pain before it, dating back to the Bloodbath grand final of 1945.
