AFL round 17 LIVE updates: Bombers solidify top-four spot with significant win over Magpies

Bombers in the top four, Magpies could be out of the eight

On an overcast night, both clubs entered this game under clouds.

Essendon’s top four credentials were under question and there was a fear that they would run out of legs as they did last season. This night allayed both those apprehensions.

They were too careful early and the Magpies jumped them, but they picked up the pace and controlled the rest of the game.

Collingwood kicked the last three goals to flatter themselves; what was truly telling was an almost scoreless third quarter. The Bombers were especially strong at stoppages, were better than Collingwood at laying and breaking tackles, and in the live part of the game, took a string of intercept marks. Collingwood had begun to looked like a team that had stretched their luck – and list – too far.

This night reinforced it. After scrambling into the top four, they’re now at risk of tumbling out of the eight altogether. The three losses at the start of the season now come back to bite them doubly.

Caddy coming of (football) age

Nate Caddy was far from the best player on the ground. But in just his third game, he showed that he has size, speed and smarts to be long-term proposition for the Bombers. His versatility gave them a sharper edge in attack.

Sidebottom best for the Pies

Collingwood’s best player on the night was Steele Sidebottom. Stationed in defence, he ran the game like a quarter-back. But his performance was bitter-sweet. At 33 and after 324 games, he is the glorious past, not the future that is suddenly cloudy. Scott Pendlebury, his partner-in-arms these past 15 years or so, has always been slow, but for the first time is starting to look it.

Things have gotten even worse for Collingwood on the injury front with important forward now sidelined with a pectoral injury, as reported by Fox.

The Magpie crashed to the ground while trying to spoil a mark by Essendon’s Mason Redman deep in Collingwood’s attacking arc in the second half.

It looked first off like a shoulder injury but the club have confirmed, as reported by Fox, a problem of the pectoral.

He came off the ground and went straight to the rooms. We’ll wait for an update from Collingwood and a path to recovery, but it’s not looking good.

“Definitely a step up,” 18-year-old Nate Caddy told Fox of his third game in the AFL in comparison to running around in the U18s this time last year.

“I just went out there and tried to run and jump and it kind of worked for me, so happy to get the win”.

He said the biggest message to him from Bombers coach Brad Scott was to adapt to the role.

“You know, an under 18s, you can just kind of do what you want, get the ball, but [at AFL level], you got to kind of play to a structure and you know, play it well.

“So that’s been the biggest step up for me. And so once I finally learnt that, he kind of just told me get to the right spot and then from there just go and play because he has trust in my abilities and that has been great for me.”

Bombers in the top four, Magpies could be out of the eight

On an overcast night, both clubs entered this game under clouds.

Essendon’s top four credentials were under question and there was a fear that they would run out of legs as they did last season. This night allayed both those apprehensions.

They were too careful early and the Magpies jumped them, but they picked up the pace and controlled the rest of the game.

Collingwood kicked the last three goals to flatter themselves; what was truly telling was an almost scoreless third quarter. The Bombers were especially strong at stoppages, were better than Collingwood at laying and breaking tackles, and in the live part of the game, took a string of intercept marks. Collingwood had begun to looked like a team that had stretched their luck – and list – too far.

This night reinforced it. After scrambling into the top four, they’re now at risk of tumbling out of the eight altogether. The three losses at the start of the season now come back to bite them doubly.

Caddy coming of (football) age

Nate Caddy was far from the best player on the ground. But in just his third game, he showed that he has size, speed and smarts to be long-term proposition for the Bombers. His versatility gave them a sharper edge in attack.

Sidebottom best for the Pies

Collingwood’s best player on the night was Steele Sidebottom. Stationed in defence, he ran the game like a quarter-back. But his performance was bitter-sweet. At 33 and after 324 games, he is the glorious past, not the future that is suddenly cloudy. Scott Pendlebury, his partner-in-arms these past 15 years or so, has always been slow, but for the first time is starting to look it.

The Bombers will be in the top four at the end of the round. The Magpies spot in the eight? We’ll have to wait and see how the other results go.

Despite Essendon leading with a significant margin throughout the final term, it was still a quarter with plenty of tension.

Collingwood managed to draw the margin back to just 12-points, but there wasn’t enough time left on the clock.

Bombers and Magpies fans, do we have any fingernails left?

Essendon defeat Collingwood 13.14 (92) to 12.8 (80)

And just like that, Nathan Kreuger has cut the margin to 13 with just less than three minutes on the clock.

If anyone can do it, it’d be Collingwood.

Essendon have subbed on Nick Hind, with Nate Caddy coming off.

Bombers by 13

Are we feeling nervous Bombers fans? Hopeful, Collingwood ones?

The Magpies have kicked the last two goals of the game, through Brody Mihocek and Nathan Kreuger, to draw the margin back down to 19 points.

Some worrying signs for the Magpies camp, however, as Mihocek came from the field after landing awkwardly on his shoulder and went straight down to the rooms.

Bombers by 19

Essendon’s big second half continues with Peter Wright kicking his second of the night, his side’s third this final term.

The Bombers now have a five-goal lead, midway through this final term.

Bombers by 31

Harvey Harrison has kicked Collingwood first goal since half-time with his second of the evening.

Could it start the comeback? Seems unlikely. The Magpies are struggling to get their hands on the ball, while the Bombers keep their tempo up.

Bombers by 25

Things are looking good for the Bombers now.

Two goals in quick succession this final term has made things very hard for the Magpies. Kyle Langford had the chance to make it three, but he missed (and somewhat badly, it can’t be everyone’s night).

Essendon are running in numbers, creating and finding space, and opening up opportunities. Their defensive game is also suffocating any ball movement from Collingwood. The Magpies are in desperate need for a spark here.

Bombers by 31

That’s some added pressure for Collingwood.

Matt Guelfi has kicked off the fourth quarter with a huge goal on the run, putting the Bombers up by 23 points.

Bombers by 23