Bombers look ready for real thing

Essendon's Brent Stanton shakes off his GWS opponent at Manuka Oval. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

Essendon's Patrick Ryder was a significant contributor with three goals. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

IN their last hit out before the season opener, the Bombers last night showed they were ready for real footy.

But Essendon might be without midfielder Heath Hocking for the Adelaide game, however, after he was charged for front-on contact against Tomas Bugg.

It was the only slight on an impressive road trip to Canberra.

Against a undermanned and lethargic Greater Western Sydney, the Bombers' big guns dismantled their opposition in the first half, trod water in the third quarter, and swamped the Giants in the final quarter to easily win their final NAB Cup match.

They kicked six goals in the first quarter and four in the second to lead by 50 points at halftime.

At that stage, they had had 100 more possessions than the Giants and led clearances 25-9.

The Giants were beaten badly in the centre square and for a period during the first quarter and overlapping into the second quarter, the Bombers won 15 straight clearances, much to the angst of the GWS coaches.

Click here for Live HQ coverage to recap last night's NAB Cup matches

The midifeld quartet of skipper Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Hocking and Dyson Heppell was rampant, and while David Myers still has an issue with his long-bomb kicking, he had no trouble finding the ball in the contested situation.

Patrick Ryder played his best game of the pre-season as ruck/forward, booting three goals and winning 15 of his 21 touches in a contested situation.

AFL NAB CUP - GWS vs Essendon at Manuka Oval in Canberra. Essendon's Tim Golds tackles GWS's Tom Scully. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

And ditto for Michael Hibberd off a back flank, who seemingly has a stronger fitness base.

Pleasing for the Bombers were the contributions of youngsters Elliott Kavanagh and Jackson Merrett, playing wing/half-forward, while Brendon Goddard played mid/back.

The Bombers, who kick off the season against the Crows on March 22, won by 91 points - 1.16.14 (119) to 04.4 (28).

Bombers coach James Hird said last night the side was far better defensively than last week and highlighted the eight scoring shots from 26 entries for the Giants.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 08: Curtly Hampton of the Giants is tackled by Elliott Kavanagh of the Bombers during the round three of the NAB Cup AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Essendon Bombers at Manuka Oval on March 8, 2013 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

"We needed some quality football, we weren't happy last week. Richmond really dominated us throughout the game, and our focus tonight was to to be good defensively," Hird said.

"We weren't happy with the way we played around the contest. We have a game in two weeks' time against one of the best contested clearance teams in the Adelaide Crows, we know what that game is going to look like and we need to prepare for them."

The Giants improved their attitude after halftime, with emphasis on the contested ball and stopping Essendon's midfield dominance.

AFL NAB CUP - GWS vs Essendon at Manuka Oval in Canberra. Essendon Jobe Watson. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

Tom Scully was poor in the first half with just two touches, Callan Ward was subbed out in the first quarter after being crunched, leaving the midfield bereft of size and leadership.

The Giants squared the contested ball in the third quarter, and lost clearances by four.

Their good work, however, was lost on the scoreboard when they gave away two 50m-penalty goals.

One winner was was full-back Tim Mohr, who played on Michael Hurley, who did not kick a goal, although he was praised by Hird for his defensive work.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 08: James Hird, coach of the Bombers, addresses his players during the round three of the NAB Cup AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Essendon Bombers at Manuka Oval on March 8, 2013 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

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