Simpson: The gutsy numbers at the source of Essendon's upset

Essendon are back on the winners’ list, and while it may have felt fortunate in many ways, Adam Simpson believes the game was won at the heart of the contest.

In what was just their second win this season and their third win since May of 2025, the Bombers undid the GWS Giants, winning by three points at Marvel Stadium to leap off 18th place.

Ahead at every break, Essendon were strong in victory, while the Giants were putrid in defeat. Missing opportunity after opportunity – headlined by Jake Stringer’s SEVEN behinds – the Giants simply weren’t able to capitalise in front of goal.

That said, the Bombers were up for the fight, and the former West Coast head coach identified the areas that ultimately won Essendon the game.

“Whether it was a sugar hit or not, it doesn’t matter,” Simpson told SEN’s Whateley.

“Going through this experience before where you only have one win for the season and it’s getting late in the day, to have a win like that – and to do it the right way – (is exceptional).

“I know the Giants missed a lot of opportunities. A bit of luck has got to go your way, but the contest work… if you can’t win clearances or contest, or be thereabouts, you can’t do anything.

“It’s hard to defend when you get so much supply against you, and it’s hard to attack from the back half.

“They are +13 in contested possessions – real basic stat – and +17 from clearance. That just says, ‘we are in this game regardless of the transition beast’.”

Essendon’s victory wasn’t just off the back of their structure, but the lift from both their senior cohort and their youthful mix.

As Simpson explains, Dyson Sharp’s 23 and one, Jacob Farrow’s 20 and two and Sullivan Robey’s 17 and one are a product of the Bombers’ senior players leading the way across the afternoon.

“Zach Merrett – I think he played midfield a lot more in this game. He has his 35 possessions, not as damaging as he usually is but it just felt right,” he continued.

“And then the young players – there’s something there with them. I like Robey, I like Sharp, I like some of these younger players.

“The young players stood up and played their role because the senior players set the tone.

“It’s a great opportunity to review the right things. Monday feels better – Dean Solomon is going to walk in with a bit of evidence. ‘If we get these things right, we can compete with anyone’ - that’ll be the message.

“Hopefully they are more competitive in the back half of the year.”

In a game that featured just 18 goals, 40 per cent of Essendon’s majors came dirty.

And it was the perfect source for a side in need of a dirty win.

“They kicked 4.2 from forward 50 stoppages,” Simpson said.

“Just one part of your game comes from the front half – they didn’t have to worry about connection or transition.

“It was just get it in, lock it in, get some stoppages and get some dirty goals.

“Well done, really good effort.”

With two wins on the board, Essendon have moved into 17th place, leapfrogging Richmond to sit above the bottom spot for the first time since Round 11.

They will look to follow up their gutsy performance this weekend as they face Hawthorn at the MCG.