Essendon have ended a horror 17-game losing streak with a morale-boosting 45-point win over Melbourne at Adelaide Oval. It was their worst run of outs in history.
They trailed by six points at half-time, but turned the match on its head after the long break. They kicked 11 goals to two across the last two quarters.
Brad Scott avoided the ignominy of becoming the first Essendon coach to lose 18 straight games.
“It’s been a tough 18 months for the players, for the fans, for the coaches, but to have a really solid win today means the world to us,” captain Andy McGrath said on Fox Footy after the game.
McGrath spent the afternoon trying to shut down Melbourne excitement machine Kysaiah Pickett – who had 28 possessions and kicked two goals.
