AFL

Essendon stymies Pies attack

Rohan Connolly Bombers held sway in general play and on the scoreboard the entire afternoon, but that didn't necessarily make their eventual 46-point win a comfortable exercise until the final 10 minutes.

AFL

Dons well placed for Pie fright

Rohan Connolly Few players have featured in as important a moment in just their fourth AFL game as did Essendon's David Zaharakis in 2009.

AFL

Measuring up the midfield

Rohan Connolly The jury is still out on whether quality or quantity is the key to victory.

Goddard is newbie in name only

Rohan Connolly Brendon Goddard is proving a godsend for Essendon's midfield, and its leadership.

Bombers run out of excuses

Rohan Connolly Simply, with a few exceptions, Essendon's players lack passion and fight.

Comments 22

Tough days for Blues and Dons

Rohan Connolly There's always something on the line when Essendon takes on Carlton.

Rohan Connolly

Defeated Bombers can take heart

Rohan Connolly Missed it by that much will be the popular reaction to Essendon's nail-biting loss in Adelaide.

AFL

Bombers' Ryder coup

Rohan Connolly ESSENDON has retained one of its most valuable assets with star big man Paddy Ryder re-signing with the club on a four-year deal, ending speculation he could be poached by Greater Western Sydney or...

Comments 30

The ultimate triumph

Rohan Connolly There has been, and will be far, far better games of football this season than Melbourne's six-point win over Essendon last night.

The Connolly Report

Dons' depth broadens a fine line

Rohan Connolly A season as tight as 2012 is likely to come down to measures as fine as a matter of centimetres or seconds. And Essendon knows all about that now.

Big Ben times run right

Rohan Connolly ESSENDON coach James Hird was asked on radio this week about the importance of the lesser lights to a team's continued improvement.

Howlett puts name in lights

Rohan Connolly Essendon coach James Hird, interviewed on SEN the other day, was asked a question about the importance of the lesser lights to a team's continued improvement.

Comments 2

Football

Bombers have sights on better midfield depth

Rohan Connolly It's no great secret Essendon needs to bolster both the quality and depth of its midfield.

Rohan Connolly

Journey into the unknown

Rohan Connolly With another debutant team and so many new coaches, we're in for a turbulent season in 2012.

Bombers bounce Roos

Rohan Connolly Only a brave pundit would have predicted result would be known only after final siren.

Comments 2

Rohan Connolly

More heroes answer call in Anzac epic

Rohan Connolly There can't have been a Pies supporter who wasn't having the worst case of deja vu imaginable with two minutes left to play yesterday.

Comments 16

Bombers delivering skill and grit

Rohan Connolly Essendon has now positioned itself as a very serious contender for the top four.

Comments 4

Bombers pop the cork

Rohan Connolly Champagne football. It's a throwaway line often used as much with irony as a straight face.