'A series of unfortunate events': Bombers glumly reflect on second-half collapse in loss to Cats (2024)

Well tonight's games may not have matched this afternoon for close finishes, but it's fair to say we've had a BIG day of upsets in the footy!

Sydney's miss after the siren to fall short against Fremantle gave the Swans rivals hope, and reminded us that the Dockers are not to be discounted this season!

Then the Suns maintained Fortress Carrara with their thrilling win over Collingwood to keep themselves in the mix for a first-ever finals series.

The Bulldogs got the job done against the Kangaroos - but it was not a game that reached the heights.

Tonight, the Giants and Essendon had disappointing losses, while the Crows showed what they are capable of - when Izak Rankine, Taylor Walker and others fire, at least.

And those Cats, who had fallen in a hole after a stellar start to the season, just reminded us why they always seem to be in the mix at the right time of the year.

Thanks for joining us today, we will be back tomorrow to bring you St Kilda - Port Adelaide, Richmond - Carlton and West Coast - Hawthorn.

Until then, on behalf of Dean Bilton and myself, Andrew McGarry, good night!

Geelong Cats have continued their 20-year stranglehold over Essendon to post a crucial and commanding 45-point win at a wet MCG.

After losing six of their last seven games in a concerning form slump, the Cats rallied on Saturday night to win 16.9 (105) to 9.6 (60) and spoil Bombers great Dyson Heppell's 250th game.

It was Geelong's 22nd win from their last 26 games against Essendon, dating back to 2004. The Bombers last beat the Cats back in 2018.

Geelong (9-6) started the match in 10th, but the vital result puts them back into fifth in a ladder logjam.

Essendon's hopes of securing a top-fourth finish for the first time since 2001 took a hit with the loss, and the Bombers (9-1-5) will have just six days to prepare for another MCG blockbuster against Collingwood next Friday night.

Just as they did in torrential rain in Brisbane in round six, Geelong handled the wet conditions far better than their opposition.

Five-time All-Australian defender Tom Stewart went into the midfield, joining Sam De Koning in the centre square after the premiership backman's surprise move into the ruck against Carlton last week.

The move paid off for the Cats after Essendon brought back veteran ruck Todd Goldstein after a week's rest to partner Sam Draper.

Tall utility Harrison Jones was tactically subbed out in the last quarter for the versatile Nik Cox, who gathered seven possessions in limited game time.

The Bombers were exposed through the midfield and in defence, with Geelong surging in numbers to score multiple easy goals out the back.

The Cats trailed by five points at halftime, but separated themselves with a five-goal-to-one third term to flatten the Bombers.

The Essendon faithful were left fuming with some of the umpiring decisions, including a contentious deliberate rushed behind against Jye Menzie that gave an Ollie Dempsey an easy goal for Geelong.

Small forward Tyson Stengle kicked all three of his goals in the second half. Exciting youngster Dempsey starred with 25 disposals and two goals in a standout performance.

Jye Caldwell, Nic Martin and captain Zach Merrett were comfortably the Bombers' best, while Jake Stringer started hot with two first-quarter goals before going missing for the rest of the match.

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So who do the Bombers have next week to bounce back after their disappointment tonight?

Oh yes - it's the Magpies at the MCG next Friday night.

Then it's the Demons at the same venue, the Crows and Saints (both at Docklands) and the Dockers at the MCG in round 21.

The Cats are suddenly up to fifth on the ladder after that big win - that's how close things are.

Next up is a big clash at Kardinia Park against their rivals Hawthorn - who are in decent nick at the moment) - pencil that in for your Saturday twilight next weekend.

Then it's Collingwood at the MCG, Western Bulldogs in Geelong, North Melbourne in Hobart and the Crows at home in round 21.

That run could set up a dangerous run at September, but a look at today's matches reminds us there are a few potential slip-ups on the list as well.

A dazzling Izak Rankine cameo has fired Adelaide to a 16-point upset win against Greater Western Sydney.

Rankine's sensational opening half gave the Crows the edge in their 13.16 (94) to 12.6 (78) triumph at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Rankine had halftime stats that would please most in a full game: 21 disposals, seven inside 50s, five clearances, seven score involvements and kicking 2.2.

His feats sparked a seven-goal second-term surge from the Crows in a 20-minute patch that turned a 12-point deficit to a 33-point lead.

Rankine finished with 27 touches, Darcy Fogarty kicked three goals and Taylor Walker, Bean Keays and Josh Rachele scored two each.

Captain Jordan Dawson (24 disposals, 10 marks) and defenders Mitch Hinge (31 disposals) and Mark Keane were also prominent as the Crows snapped a three-game losing streak.

The Giants (eight wins, seven losses) blew a chance to rise to fifth on the ladder — instead, they drop to ninth spot.

Adelaide's Keays booted the first two goals of the game as the hosts took an early 15-0 lead.

The Giants then produced a four-goal burst — when Jesse Hogan strolled into an open goal seconds before halftime, he put the visitors 24-18 up.

Skipper Greene soon extended the scoring streak and GWS held a 5.0 to 2.6 lead before Adelaide suddenly clicked.

The Crows, with Rankine and ex-captain Walker seizing control, posted seven consecutive goals in their 20-minute spree.

Rankine, Walker and Fogarty all slotted two goals as the home side went from two goals down to 33 points up at halftime, 9.9 to 5.0.

The Crows created a match-high 37-point break midway through the third term before the visitors snuck within 23 points at three quarter-time.

GWS captain Greene and Hogan slotted goals to shrink Adelaide's margin to 14 points with 13 minutes remaining.

But the Crows, with Fogarty converting his third and three-gamer Billy Dowling adding another, held on for a fifth win of the season.

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This evening has been one of rebounds for out of form clubs, and the Crows have got the points in Adelaide.

They had lost five out of their last seven, and though things got a little hairy at times tonight, they deserved the win on the back of their magnificent second quarter.

Can they build on this? Who knows, but there'll be some celebrations in the Crows camp tonight.

It's definitely a missed opportunity for the Giants. We'll see where they end up at the end of the weekend, but every loss is an issue in this packed ladder.

Mitch Knevitt boots a late goal for Geelong, and the Cats celebrate at the siren.

They had lost six out of seven games, but now this win with percentage boosts them right back into the eight.

For Essendon, it's a disappointing night. They thought this was their chance to charge towards the top two, but they didn't look like it after half-time.

Callan Ward had brought the margin back to 22 points in Adelaide ... now Toby Greene has marked and roosted one from 50-55 out to get it home.

The gap is under three goals, there are just over two minutes left! Surely not ..

The air has gone out of this game somewhat.

The Bombers are still trying, but the Cats know they're going to get the points, and they have more energy.

In Adelaide, the Crows have pushed things out again to a 28-point lead, thanks to a goal from Billy Dowling.

There are eight minutes on the clock, and the news is not great for the Giants, with Stephen Coniglio off with injury.

The Cats do it again ... Gary Rohan forces a turnover, he runs down the left wing and then spots up Tyson Stengle in the pocket.

The heads are going down a bit on the Bombers players, and Stengle runs around and snaps his third of the night - the Cats lead is out to 39 points, and you feel this is only going in one direction.

They've had the answers for most of the second half, and the Cats do it again.

Jeremy Cameron gets the ball for Geelong, handballs out to Gryan Miers, and Miers hits his target long in Gary Rohan.

Rohan marks and kicks the goal, and the Bombers just can't build the momentum for a comeback right now.

All right, it might not be over yet - the Bombers play with a bit of desperation, with Nick Hind forcing a turnover - they find Kyle Langford inside 50, and he marks and kicks the goal.

14 minutes on the clock, 27 points the margin.

That was just what Essendon did NOT need.

There was a big contest at half-back for Geelong, Mark Blicavs went hard at it, the ball spilled and was spread downfield, the Cats got it to Gary Rohan, who kicked from the edge of the centre square and found Jeremy Cameron.

Cameron took his time, went back, and kicked it. That could well be that, the Cats lead by 33 points, and unless things change they will be getting the chocolates.

There's been a goal apiece in the final term at Adelaide Oval, with Toby Greene getting one for the Giants, but it was answered by Lachlan Scholl.

It's a 21-point lead.

Essendon still leads in inside 50s and clearances, but they have been outscored six goals to one in the second half.

They need to get into gear, and quickly here.

There is still plenty of time to turn it around, but the Cats are looking confident here.

It's been a fierce start to the final quarter, but it's Geelong who make it count.

They get the ball forward, it is scrambled around inside 50, the ball is funnelled through somehow, and Brad Close snaps one from close to goal.

The Cats now lead by 27 points, that could be crucial!

It's tightened a bit in Adelaide, but the Crows are still on track to get the win they've been looking for.

Can the Giants put it together, or will they stay out of the eight tonight?

The Cats can't make a final chance pay but as the siren sounds for three quarter time, Chris Scott's men have a definite advantage after a five goal to one quarter.

If the Bombers are to get the big scalp they are looking for, they will have to produce something special in the final term.