Bereft Bombers poke, prod and point fingers against Port. What were they even trying to do?

Essendon lacked energy and cohesion. If they don’t learn to defend, other clubs will continue to run rings around them

Heading into the season, Essendon released a mini-documentary called “Spend a day with Brad Scott”. To be honest, it didn’t really present as the most riveting 24 hours. Most of it took place in a classroom type setting, with the coaches and players endeavouring to bed down a team defence. They sat with their notepads and biros, nodding and jotting and giving every impression that they were taking it all in. Clearly this was something that needed to be taught, that needed to be learned, and that needed to be swiftly implemented.

It was an acknowledgment that this has been their major malfunction for the entirety of Brad Scott’s tenure. And the way footy’s being played in 2026, if you don’t have a coherent and reliable team defence then you’re toast. Heading into Sunday's game against Port Adelaide, Essendon would have thought it was a prime chance to implement some of their summer learnings. Port, after all, had been every bit as disappointing against North Melbourne as Essendon had been against Hawthorn.

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