1. Goalless first half from Essendon
For the first time since round 14, 1984, Essendon failed to kick a goal in the first half. It was the Bombers’ lowest half-time score since round three, 1968. It was just the second time a side had been held goalless at Etihad Stadium (Hawthorn scored just four points in round 14, 2009) and Geelong had not restricted a team to such a low half-time total since it kept the Western Bulldogs to two points in 1965. Joe Daniher had his chances early kicking four behinds in the first quarter, missing two gettable set shots but from then on it was one-way traffic. The Dons’ first goal eventually came two minutes into the second half via Brent Stanton.
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2. Problems mount at Essendon
Even allowing for the absence of Jobe Watson and the lingering WADA appeal against the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal decision, the Bombers' performance was as uncompetitive as has been seen in 2015. With five minutes to go in the third quarter Essendon was 82 points behind and had kicked 1.8 (14). The Bombers’ field kicking was woeful and key players are down on confidence. Only Cale Hooker, Elliott Kavanagh and the sub Paul Chapman could hold their heads high. After so many brave performances on-field since the start of 2013, this was a disappointing night for the Bombers. Unfortunately they travel to Perth to face an unsympathetic Eagles and a turn-around in form looks a long way off. It will take an enormous effort to turn things around in a week.
3. Basketballer Luxford makes the grade
Former Australian junior basketball representative Michael Luxford became the latest innovative selection from Geelong recruiter Stephen Wells to make the grade when he replaced late withdrawal Rhys Stanley. A former point guard, Luxford toured Lithuania at the U17 world championships but decided to take the chance to make the grade when recruiters spotted him and offered him the chance of a professional AFL career. Luxford came on as the substitute when Josh Caddy was checked for concussion after a knock in the first quarter. Veteran Mathew Stokes looked after him with a handball as soon as he ran on the ground and he kicked it out on the full. He then won a crucial ground ball early in the second quarter. He ended the game with five disposals and a taste of the game at the highest level.
4. Nothing passes Harry Taylor
Harry Taylor remains a barometer for the Cats. When he is marking the ball and mopping up across half-back the Cats can look impenetrable. He was at it again on Saturday night, marking the ball when he got two hands to it and drifting across to spoil when working the angles. By half-time he had 18 disposals and five marks and was controlling the defensive arc. He still had the most disposals in the game with 26 at three-quarter time. By game's end he had 10 marks and 33 disposals and was the best player on the ground.
5. No rucks, no worries
Geelong's Rhys Stanley was a late withdrawal with a quad injury, joining fellow talls Mitch Clark, Dawson Simpson, Hamish McIntosh and Nathan Vardy on the sidelines. Essendon's Tom Bellchambers was subbed out at half-time leaving the Bombers with non-ruckman Jake Carlisle taking the centre bounces against Cat Josh Walker, with Mark Blicavs playing as a ruck-rover. It was an unusual sight for teams that have 10 players between them that stand at 200cm or above. Stanley is expected back next week when Geelong travels to Adelaide Oval to take on Port Adelaide.
