ESSENDON has registered a morale-boosting NAB Challenge win ahead of its looming judgement day at the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal, with the Bombers' mix of stars, youth and four top-up players edging out Melbourne on Friday.
Led by emerging star Joe Daniher's three goals, the Dons defied a slow start to run over the Demons 0.11.11 (77) to 0.11.9 (75) in a pre-season thriller at Etihad Stadium.
Melbourne looked to almost have the game sewn-up after Jack Watts booted his second midway through the final term to extend the margin to 11 points.
But a poor kick across goal by Jack Viney with only 90 seconds remaining coughed up the match-winner to Lauchlan Dalgleish, who intercepted the kick and ran into an open goal.
Demons coach Paul Roos refused to blame Viney for the error, saying his teammates should have used their voices to direct the youngster.
"You would like to think more guys around him are talking to him and directing him and letting him know what's going on," he said.
"I think that's the next stage for us as a group that it's less about the individual, but more about the team.
"And that's probably the thing you take out of tonight. If you play as a team, which obviously all the good sides do, you get a much better result over a four-quarter period."
The Bombers fans erupted on the final siren, with their side clinching an unlikely victory after previous heavy defeats to St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney in the pre-season competition.
Coach James Hird fielded his strongest available team, but the Bombers still included four top-up players and a host of youngsters alongside some of their big names.
Hird singled-out emerging players Jason Ashby (15 disposals), Martin Gleeson (19), Dalgleish (two goals), Elliott Kavanagh (21 touches) and Jackson Merrett (one goal) for their roles in the win.
"The good thing about tonight is that it just shows that our youngsters are learning the right way," Hird said.
"They're being developed the right way and the program we're running – and have been running for the last two or three years – is working and teaching them the way we want them to play."
High-profile recruits Adam Cooney, Brendon Goddard, Paul Chapman and ex-Saints defender James Gwilt were outstanding and proved their form hasn't been affected by the Dons' disrupted pre-season.
A reborn Jeff Garlett almost inspired Melbourne to victory, with the livewire's four goals sure to excite Dees fans.
The former Blue languished in the VFL at times last year, but his pace and nous around goals – highlighted by a brilliant steal from a smother and six-pointer in the second term - has provided an X-factor the Dees have lacked.
Rookie draft selection Aaron vandenBerg also looks a find. The mature-age recruit played in a new-look and threatening attack and kicked two goals as a mobile tall option.
On most days, vandenBerg's turn of pace and running goal in the third quarter would have been a clear winner for goal of the day.
But a blistering run from Essendon youngster Dalgleish in the second term was reminiscent of Port Adelaide speedster Matt White's goal of the year from last season.
Dalgleish turned on the afterburners after taking possession inside defensive 50m, took four bounces and unloaded a gun-barrel straight major from 45m for a wonderful goal.
Both sides could be happy with elements of their final hit-out before round one, with Melbourne set to host Gold Coast and Essendon travelling north to face the Sydney Swans.
First, though, the Bombers' attention will turn to the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal's verdict on March 31 – just four days before they take on the Swans.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Melbourne: Coach-in-waiting Simon Goodwin's influence on the Dees' attacking play should help win over neutral observers in 2015, with a more direct brand of football on display during the NAB Challenge. The Demons still struggled to convert at times, but their willingness to run and handball, switch to find an opening and attack through the corridor was encouraging. A forward mix of Jesse Hogan, Chris Dawes, Jack Watts, Sam Frost and Jeff Garlett also appears to be gelling nicely ahead of the premiership campaign. The next step is to have a bigger impact where it counts, on the scoreboard.
Essendon: The Dons picked their strongest side yet for their final NAB Challenge game and many of their bigger names showed they are primed for the real stuff in two weeks' time. Brendon Goddard, Paul Chapman, Joe Daniher, Adam Cooney, David Zaharakis and the returning Mark Baguley each had their moments and lifted the game to new heights with ball in hand. It remains to be seen what side the Dons will field for round one, but they can be comfortable knowing these stars will be ready.
NEW FACES
Melbourne: Aaron vandenBerg booted the game's first goal, presented well up forward and did his round one chances no harm alongside the equally hard-working Sam Frost in a new-look attacking setup. Heritier Lumumba was his typical hard-running self and often drove the ball forward, where Jeff Garlett was particularly lively in the second quarter and booted a superb goal after a clever steal at half-forward. Ben Newton found plenty of the footy for the second week in a row in another promising display from the ex-Port Adelaide midfielder.
Essendon: First-gamer Jayden Laverde got involved through midfield and did some nice things linking across half-forward. Young half-forward Kyle Langford showed poise in possession in his second game after being drafted with pick 17 last year, while Adam Cooney, James Gwilt, Jonathan Giles and sub Shaun McKernan – who provided some good aggression in the ruck -got some productive game time ahead of their Bombers debuts in the season proper.
MELBOURNE 0.2.4 0.5.7 0.9.8 0.11.9 (75)
ESSENDON 0.2.1 0.6.1 0.9.8 0.11.11 (77)
SUPERGOALS
Melbourne: Nil
Essendon: Nil
GOALS
Melbourne: Garlett 4, vandenBerg 2, Dawes 2, Watts 2, Viney
Essendon: Daniher 3, Fantasia 2, Dalgleish 2, Merrett, Langford, Zaharakis, Edwards
BEST
Melbourne: Lumumba, Tyson, Garlett, Salem, N. Jones, vandenBerg
Essendon: Cooney, Goddard, Chapman, Gwilt, Ashby, Daniher
INJURIES
Melbourne: Newton (leg)
Essendon: Laverde (knee)
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Max Gawn replaced Mark Jamar at three-quarter time, Jordie McKenzie (unused)
Essendon: Shaun McKernan replaced Jonathan GIles at half-time, Marcus Marigliani replaced James Gwilt at three-quarter time.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Ryan, Schmitt, McInerney
Official crowd: TBC at Etihad Stadium
