Essendon have snapped their 17-game losing streak with an emphatic 45-point win over Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.
After a tight first half, the Bombers exploded with 11 goals to two in the final two quarters to run away with the 17.11 (113) to 10.8 (68) victory.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Merrett’s ridiculous snap goal
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Veteran Zach Merrett was instrumental in the win, racking up 31 touches and kicking the match-sealing goal in the final term with a ridiculous snap from the boundary line.
He also laid a brilliant rundown tackle on Kysaiah Pickett in the closing stages to highlight his defensive efforts.
It came after another week in the headlines when his wife Alexandra posted on social media about leaving last week’s loss to the Western Bulldogs at half-time.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon said it was a “symbolic” moment.
“There might be just some symbolism,” he said.
“Maybe the fog is lifting and maybe Zach Merrett is reconnecting with this football club and their fan base in a big way. There’s love for him there”
Brad Johnson added: “Unbelievable kick, probably the best goal of his career. One of the best goals of the season right there.”
Debutant Sullivan Robey was the first teammate over to Merrett, picking him up and celebrating to cap a stunning day for the Bombers.
Speaking after the match, Merrett said it was an exciting day for the club after going nearly a full year without a win. The Bombers’ last victory came in Round 11 last year against Richmond.
“We’ve had 21 debutants or close to it in that period of time so for guys to get their first win or first couple of wins, obviously means so much for the boys,” he said.
“For the guys to keep sticking at it and keep the morale up … to get a bit of reward today is exciting, but also a platform to keep building on.
“It’s an exciting day for us.”
The triumph ends a 17-game winless stretch for the Bombers — another defeat and it would have been the longest losing streak in the club’s history.
But powered by Archie Roberts (42 disposals, one goal), Darcy Parish (33 touches) and Merrett (31, one goal), the Bombers produced a match-defining burst in the third term.
Essendon’s Isaac Kako, Archer May, Nate Caddy, Tom Edwards and Xavier Duursma all kicked two goals.
In contrast, Melbourne’s Pickett (two goals, 28 disposals) was his side’s only multiple scorer — and they lost Christian Salem to an ankle injury.
The Bombers held a four-point edge at the end of a first quarter highlighted by a classy goal from Melbourne’s Latrelle Pickett.
After big Bomber Ben McKay butchered a kick in his defensive half, Pickett swooped, took a bounce, then dribbled through a 40-metre snap from a tight angle.
Melbourne gained traction in the second stanza with five goals to three — when Brodie Mihoceck slotted a set shot in the 22nd minute, they were 19 points up.
But the Bombers hit back with two crucial late majors to reduce their halftime deficit to just six points.
Essendon then made a decisive move, cashing in on a midfield dominance to score a half-dozen goals in a slick third term, including three strikes in as many minutes late in the quarter.
Former skipper Merrett extended Essendon’s lead to 28 points eight minutes into the final quarter with a stunning snap from near the boundary line.
And within six minutes, May, Caddy and Duursma had all converted set shots to seal victory before 38,006 spectators.
– With AAP
