Jake Stringer was always going to put on a show against his old side.
Facing Essendon for the first time since leaving the club late last year, he was the GIANTS north star in attack in the 16.8 (104) to 7.14 (56) win at Marvel Stadium on Thursday evening.
Stringer's three goals only told part of the story, with his leap at the footy and willingness to bring others into the game crucial to the GIANTS' attacking style.
The visitors started the game with some lethargy, making them susceptible to the pressure efforts of the Bombers. Skill execution from both sides was a concern, however, with error-laden passages of play, miskicks, and dropped marks.
Although it was under the Marvel Stadium roof, it did rain in the afternoon before the roof was closed, so the surface was damp, exacerbating the poor ball use across the field.
Once settled, however, the GIANTS got their touch back, and moved the footy with devastating precision down the field. And it was Stringer and Callum Brown (seven marks, two goals) who cashed in.
The grunt of Tom Green (30 disposals, 16 clearances) got things started around the contest, while Toby Greene (17 disposals, two goals) showed his class in the transition forward.
A second-quarter surge from the GIANTS, in which they kicked five unanswered goals, opened up the gap on the scoreboard that Essendon was unable to cede.
What couldn't be questioned was Essendon's effort, with the likes of Isaac Kako and Archer May going to great lengths to worry the GIANTS. What didn't work, however, was the attempt to connect between midfield and forward.
Jack Buckley's work on Peter Wright was exceptional – before being tactically subbed out in the third quarter. Sitting back shoulder and conceding the leading lane to the Bomber, his ability to spoil the ball from behind was impressive.
Wright (16 hitouts, two goals) was able to warm into the game, however, once Leek Aleer was handed the role, with the substitution of ruck Vigo Visentini, forcing him into the ruck for the remainder of the game. He moved with more freedom starting at the contest, floating forward, and getting dangerous.
And for debutant Liam McMahon, it wasn't a bad night out despite the loss. He kicked the Bombers' first two goals of the game – following Essendon's eight consecutive behinds to open its scoring.
There were some concerns for Bomber Sam Durham in the third term, undergoing a head injury assessment following a heavy tackle from GIANTS ruck Kieren Briggs, but he was able to return to the field in the final quarter.
ESSENDON 0.5 1.8 5.10 7.14 (56)
GIANTS 2.0 8.3 13.5 16.8 (104)
GOALS
Essendon: McMahon 2, Wright 2, Kako, Perkins, Duursma
GIANTS: Stringer 3, Gruzewski 2, Riccardi 2, Brown 2, Greene 2, Cadman, Briggs, Green, O'Halloran, Jones
BEST
Essendon: Merrett, McMahon, Kako, Ridley
GIANTS: Green, Stringer, Callaghan, Idun, Jones, Ash
INJURIES
Essendon: Archer May (nose)
GIANTS: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Zak Johnson (replaced Vigo Visentini at three-quarter time)
GIANTS: Harry Rowston (replaced Jack Buckley in the third quarter)
Crowd: 20,347 at Marvel Stadium
