GAME DAY: Essendon v Melbourne from the MCG | 3AW Radio
Emerging star Zach Merrett spoke to 3AW Football on Sunday afternoon.
He said he had felt Melbourne were a bit lacklustre on the field compared to the week before.
He also said triple-premiership player James Kelly had told him it was one of his best wins.
Click play to hear the full story
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Essendon captain Brendon Goddard said he was particularly excited for the players who thought their careers were over.
He said it’s what happens next that matters.
Click play to hear from Goddard in the rooms
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‘They owned the bookends’
LETHAL’S VOTES
5 J Daniher
4 J Gwilt
3 Z Merrett
2 D Zaharakis
1 B Kennedy#AFLDonsDees pic.twitter.com/ZFRfQYNHe5? 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) April 2, 2016
Essendon star David Zaharakis told 3AW Football it was one of the best wins he’s been involved in.
Click play to hear his post-match interview
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FULL TIME
The Bombers have silenced the doubters, recording a 13-point win.
The Merrett brothers were sensational for the Dons, while David Zaharakis and Joe Daniher had an influence.
Click play to hear the final analysis
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HALF TIME
Essendon is showing it’s about who’s on the field, not who’s missing.
The patchwork Dons lead by nine points on the back of some fierce tackling pressure.
Emerging star Zach Merrett is leading the way with 19 touches, five tackles, and two goals.
Michael Hartley kicks popular goal! Dons by 9. #AFLDonsDees pic.twitter.com/luoIfSAhqu
? 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) April 2, 2016
Click play to hear Lloydy and Lethal’s analysis
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Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell told 3AW Football the Bombers’ solidarity march is a ‘line in the sand’.
‘We can’t let the last three years define us,’ he said.
‘This is about moving forward.’
Click play to hear his pre-game interview
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Melbourne coach Paul Roos told 3AW Football the club isn’t used to dealing with the pressure of being ‘favourites’.
He also said Jesse Hogan can be used as a ruck-rover.
Click play to hear his pre-game interview
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Melbourne enters Round 2 looking for its first 2-0 start since 2005.
But standing in their way Essendon, who will be playing free from the pressure of expectation in 2016.
Keep an eye on mature-age Bomber Michael Hartley, who will make his debut five years after first being drafted by Collingwood.
Join the best commentary team in the game on 3AW Football.
TODAY’S LINE-UP from 12PM: Matthew Lloyd, Leigh Matthews, Caroline Wilson, Tim Lane, Tony Leonard, Doc Larkins, and Sam ‘Scoop’ McClure.
HOW TO LISTEN ONLINE
PRE-GAME: 3AW App or click here
MATCH STREAM: AFL app or website
POST-MATCH REVIEW: 3AW App or click here
BELOW: Follow live commentary highlights throughout the weekend.