Round 13 v Essendon at Marrara, Darwin

Dreamtime at the G became Dreamtime at Marrara this year; the whole shebang shipped to Darwin. And you know, its a great occasion each year bringing Indigenous Australia to the city and to the greatest sporting venue in the world; but maybe it should travel more often. Richard Fejo launched it with a dynamite Welcome to Country. It must have felt so great to be there and be Larrakia Tiwi, Yolgnu, Jawoyn, any of the top end countrymen he welcomed so powerfully, the Noongar who are so well represented in footy, the Koori and Murri from the east, Tassie got a mention. It started the night on a great positive note.

The first half was not sparkling football but the highlights belonged to a Dons debutant, Irving Mosquito. Lynch opened the scoring but shortly after the mid-sized and quick Mosquito got a match-up on Soldo and just got away from him to mark, and goal confidently.

Tippa (The Little Man™ J. Brayshaw) took a very brave mark and was lightly collected by Grimes. There was a lot of heated talk during the week after about Grimes, not so much for this as for when he flopped to win a free which meant a goal to Tipungwuti was overturned. He got death threats.

Essendon SEN caller: “I don’t necessarily agree with the death threats, but…” Stop right there turbo

— Simon Wallace (@rfcswallace) August 23, 2020

It was 3 goals each at half time; Dons had been accurate, we had not. Dusty, Tom, Oleg, Dyl (!), Kam, Jack R and Jack G all missed, one after the other. Pretty excruciating. A rushed behind was sweet relief. Just before halftime with a total of four majors on the board, Mosquito improved things immensely swooping on a loose ball and running through a closing gap to kick his second. Shai answered quickly, Rioli another, and we went in 7 points up.

Around that time Shai collected on the wing and hit Jack on the chest, one of the best kicks of the night. It went totally uncalled. Richo and Brayshaw were busy talking about Oleg’s barista moey. Sure, dull game, but keep half an eye out for class.

After kicking two before the break we started the third a volley of goals to Riewoldt, Dusty and Lambert. Shai and Dusty had control in the middle, and the Dons were a key back short after Francis went off with a hammy. Jack Graham had possibly his best ever roster match; he hit Lynch on the chest with a great pass and Lynch nearly killed Saad who bravely/unwisely got in the way.

From there Essendon got close a couple of time but we held them at arms length. After a neat pick up from Short, Graham bobbled it in low and Lynch used his body cleverly to allow it to run to Marbs who kicked it high into a tree. Merritt and The Little Man™ kicked consolation goals but we saw out time for a 12 point win.

Benny Votes
A bit unfair to Lynch, Soldo and Baker here but…
Dusty 5, Bolton 4, Graham 3, Vlastuin 2, Grimes 1
Leaderboard
25: Martin
22: Bolton
14: Vlastuin
13: Short, Grimes
10: Lambert
9: Baker, McIntosh
7: Prestia, Balta, Riewoldt, Cotchin
6: Soldo
5: Higgins, Eggmolesse-Smith, Chol
4: Caddy, Graham
3: Houli, Lynch
2: Pickett
1: Castagna, Aarts