The stat Matthew Lloyd says ‘sums up’ Essendon this season

Matthew Lloyd says Essendon’s inability to use the football effectively and get it forward is playing a huge role in their early season woes.

The Bombers are 1-6 after seven rounds, facing an uphill battle now to figure in the finals.

They lost to the Western Bulldogs by 32 points on Sunday.

“They had 13 more disposals than the Western Bulldogs, yet went inside 50 27 times less,” Lloyd said on 3AW.

Lloyd said it showed the Bombers weren’t hurting their opponents enough when they have the ball, with “too many handballs” and sideways movement.

He said prime ball-winners Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett were as guilty as anybody at the club.

“I’m seeing too much of that – racking up numbers and not helping the team with the footy,” he said.

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