YOUNG Essendon forward Joe Daniher has kicked a career-best six goals to spearhead a 58-point win over the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, with the Bombers galloping away at Etihad Stadium to boot their highest score of the season.
Under an open roof and in bright sunshine, the Bombers played with an attacking flair that has been missing in 2015, kicking 12 goals in the second half to win 21.10 (136) to 12.6 (78) and end a two-game losing streak.
The Lions were right in the game for the first half and trailed by only five points at the main break, with star midfielder Tom Rockliff back in form and driving a spirited performance.
But the Bombers ramped up their attacking game in the third quarter, dominating possession (95-53) and uncontested marks (22-6), and playing on at every opportunity to create an open forward line.
By the final siren their forwards had taken 17 marks inside 50, nine more than their previous best this season of eight.
Still, the Bombers' rock-solid backline stood out again, with key position pair Michael Hurley (22 possessions and seven rebound 50s), Cale Hooker (24 and five) and half-back Michael Hibberd (26 and five) excellent in shutting down the Lions' dangerous forwards.
Both teams kicked five goals in an exciting first quarter, with the Bombers mimicking the Lions' run and gun style to trail by one point at the first change.
Rockliff returned to form in a season interrupted by a rib injury and concussion, winning 18 possessions in the first half and finishing with 27, five clearances and 10 tackles.
Ruckman Stefan Martin continued his superb season (18 possessions and 27 hit-outs), while small forward Josh Green booted three goals in a lively first half.
Still, coach Justin Leppitsch was left to rue one particularly bad quarter that ended any chance of a third straight win for the Lions.
"The third quarter was the biggest problem from our perspective – we gave up 11 shots from 14 entries and I think in a nutshell our young defenders just got beaten," the coach said.
"They out-marked us or we gave away free kicks. I think there were six free kicks against in our defensive 50 today, so they were under a lot of pressure.
"I thought it was a game of bookends and that really hurt us in the end."
The 2-6 Lions were hit with an injury pre-game, withdrawing key midfielder Jack Redden with a back injury that could sideline him for up to two weeks.
ESSENDON 5.2 9.5 16.9 21.10 (136)
BRISBANE LIONS 5.3 8.6 10.6 12.6 (78)
GOALS
Essendon: Daniher 6, Cooney 3, Carlisle 3, Goddard 2, Stanton, Colyer, Ambrose, J Merrett, Hibberd, Melksham, Chapman
Brisbane Lions: Green 3, Lester 2, Taylor, Dawson, Rich, D Beams, Robertson, Martin, Gardiner
BEST
Essendon: Daniher, Hurley, Stanton, Hibberd, Hooker, Cooney, Howlett
Brisbane Lions: Martin, Rockliff, D Beams, Green, Paparone
INJURIES
Essendon: Paul Chapman (corked hamstring)
Brisbane Lions: Jack Redden (back) replaced in selected side by Mitch Golby
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Courtenay Dempsey replaced Dustin Fletcher at three-quarter time
Brisbane Lions: Mitch Golby replaced Liam Dawson in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Edwards, Harris
Official crowd: 36,857 at Etihad Stadium
