ESSENDON 17.5 (107) d HAWTHORN 11.17 (83)

Sam Durham, Jake Kelly , Xavier Duursma, Jade Gresham and Ben McKay of the Bombers sing the song.

Sam Durham, Jake Kelly , Xavier Duursma, Jade Gresham and Ben McKay of the Bombers sing the song.Credit: Getty Images

KEY POINTS

DONS FOCUS ON DEFENCE: Essendon coach Brad Scott said defence had been a major focus over summer, the Bombers having too often leaked goals last season. In Ben McKay, they now have the defensive pillar they had been craving. The former North Melbourne fullback had a good afternoon on Mitch Lewis, taking five marks, while being the big body needed to handle pack situations. Unfortunately, fellow defensive tall Zach Reid was subbed off with a hamstring issue. Reid’s career has been derailed by hamstring surgery and back issues.

GOAL-KICKING AN ISSUE FOR HAWKS: The Hawks lacked potency inside attacking 50 last season, but appear to have eased their marking issues. Former Tiger and Sun Mabior Chol was a major presence, including having an early mark-of-the-year contender, while the return of Jack Gunston adds goal-kicking power. Small forward Jack Ginnivan, best afield to half-time, and fellow goalsneak, rookie Nick Watson, will also be a handful. Coach Sam Mitchell noted post match that last year’s finals series was heavily influenced by small forwards. In Ginnivan and Watson, the four-time premiership star believes the Hawks now have this base covered.

HAWKS SMASHED AT CENTRE BOUNCES: The Hawks have work to do at centre bounces (beaten 18-9 in centre clearances) and overall stoppages (beaten 39-32), while their accuracy in front of goal was an issue. Veteran Todd Goldstein, in his first game for the Bombers, had a whopping 41 hit outs in his battle with Ned Reeves (28), while Archie Perkins and Will Setterfield were clearance beasts. Former Bomber Massimo D’Ambrosio drew praise from Mitchell for his 30 touches for his new club.

KEY STATS

The Giants are 2-0 to start the season and the Kangaroos have shown they have improved but still have a long way to go.

Jesse Hogan kicked six goals and Tom Green was dominant around the footy while Kangaroos debutantes Zane Duursma (two goals) and Colby McKercher (22 possessions) showed they have plenty to offer at AFL level.

The only disappointment was late in the final term when Roos defender Josh Goater went down with what appears to be a serious lower leg injury, possibly an achilies injury.

Aidan Corr (L) and Tristan Xerri (R) of the Kangaroos contest the ball.

Aidan Corr (L) and Tristan Xerri (R) of the Kangaroos contest the ball.Credit: AFL Photos

Jesse Hogan is setting a cracking pace for this year’s Coleman Medal according to respected sports statistician Swampthing.

Hogan is the first player since 1994 to kick 10 or more goals before the end of round one – it’s worth noting that this is the first year having “opening round” but he has made a hot start regardless.

Our blog will focus on Geelong v St Kilda tonight although we will still have the excellent Andrew Stafford filing updates from Gold Coast Suns v Adelaide Crows which could also be a pretty lively match.

The Cats v Saints starts at 7.30pm AEDT. There are no late changes at this stage.

Shaun Mannagh (Cats) and Lance Collard (Saints) will start as the subs.

Roos defender Josh Goater has gone down off the ball without contact from any other player.

It appears either his achilles tendon has gone as he attempted to sprint after a player or he has suffered a lower leg injury.

He is hobbling off the field now with his leg off the ground. But it does look like he will be out for a time.

Giants 119, North 76 with six minutes to go.

Josh Goater.

Josh Goater.Credit: AFL Photos

Aiden Corr briefly lost his cool on the last play and cannoned into Hogan as he marked inside the 50m arc.

Corr ended up running through him as he attempted to foil and the umpire rightly called a 50m penalty.

Hogan booted the goal. Corr was disappointed and the Giants are safely home now.

Giants 108, Roos 70 with 13 mins left.

Jesse Hogan and Callum M. Brown celebrate a goal.

Jesse Hogan and Callum M. Brown celebrate a goal.Credit: AFL Photos

The Giants keep surging forward whenever they can break free of the Roos and Hogan, Brown and co are just too strong for North’s defenders.

The Roos keep battling and are not taking a backward step. Things did get a bit scrappy at the end of the quarter with a couple of late challenges but it didn’t seem that anyone got hurt so that is a good thing.

Xavier O’Halloran has been subbed off by the Giants with Nick Haynes now into the game.

Eddie Ford leaps for a mark.

Eddie Ford leaps for a mark.Credit: AFL Photos

The Giants have pushed out their lead to 35 points midway through the third term but the Roos are hanging in there and battling them for every goal.

“They are standing up, they haven’t lost their system or lost their fight,” Fox Footy commentator Nathan Buckley said.

Callum M. Brown has just booted his second goal.

Giants 92, Roos 57 with 10 mins to go in Q3.

Sam Taylor and Connor Idun of the Giants lead for a mark.

Sam Taylor and Connor Idun of the Giants lead for a mark.Credit: AFL Photos

There are some super pics of Essendon’s post-match celebrations from earlier today.

Essendon fans enjoy the win over Hawthorn.

Essendon fans enjoy the win over Hawthorn.Credit: AFL Photos

Sam Durham celebrates with fans.

Sam Durham celebrates with fans.Credit: AFL Photos

Essendon fans take in the win over Hawthorn.

Essendon fans take in the win over Hawthorn.Credit: AFL Photos

Zach Merrett high fives fans as his team leaves the MCG.

Zach Merrett high fives fans as his team leaves the MCG.Credit: Getty Images

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