That his name has become a central point of the discussion around the Bombers’ direction feels unfair to the coach as he explained that McKay’s improvement will come as their system – and commitment to the system – improves.
“If we can get going and keep improving our system Ben McKay is a really important part of what we are doing, and I have great belief in his capability,” Scott said.
McKay’s improvement wasn’t the only source of hope for the Bombers. The injection of mid-season draft recruit Saad El–Hawli in the last quarter prompted an eruption among his clan in the stands when he pounced on the ball, sprinted through the middle, kicked forward and set up a game-turning goal to Nic Martin.
“Three-quarter time all the boys were encouraging me to take the game on because the opposition was tired. Once I got the ball I just put the jets on,” El-Hawli told Seven later. The 23-year-old is a devout Muslim whose debut came during Ramadan.
“A shout-out to all the Muslims across the community and country, I know it’s the blessed month of Ramadan and thank you for all your support, thank you to the community back at home, and a shout-out to everyone who helped me along the journey.”
Isaac Kako (left) and Saad El-Hawli get a Gatorade shower after the win.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Martin’s goal reduced the margin to four points, and the Bombers continued to build through the effort of Zach Merrett, the energy of Isaac Kako and the strength of Sam Draper as a forward target.
“It was a great start to the fourth. Credit to Saady, he came on and gave us that burst of energy,” Kako said. “The boys tell me just to play my game and play with freedom.”
Draper’s habit of holding the ball as if on a tray of drinks at a cocktail party before snapping a set shot continues to catch the eye, but it was effective.
Although the skills made the game ordinary with the ball moving as chaotically as a dodgem car, there was no questioning the Bombers’ commitment to defensive actions as the tackle count and territory battle shifted in Essendon’s favour.
With Port Adelaide’s ball movement interrupted, the inside 50s conceded was 44 rather than 65 as it had been five days earlier against Adelaide. The tackle count was in Essendon’s favour. And best and fairest winner Jordan Ridley joined McKay and young defender Zach Reid to help out when Georgiades looked like being the difference early in the match.
Dylan Shiel played in the midfield and was an important player.Credit: Getty Images
Ridley cooled the key forward momentarily, so McKay could get into a rhythm, and he began to play his role effectively taking six marks while Reid took 10 and Ridley took five. All of a sudden, the team which conceded 20 marks against the Crows conceded just 11 to Port Adelaide.
Another whipping boy Dylan Shiel was moved back into a more familiar midfield role after struggling in the defensive role he has been earmarked for in 2025. He redeemed his reputation with 25 touches and although his kicking wasn’t perfect, he got the ball heading in Essendon’s direction from stoppage, gaining a game-high 709 metres.
Scott said Elijah Tsatas injury meant Shiel was needed in the middle. The coach reminded the veteran what made him a quality midfielder. “For him to play at his best, he’s got to have at the forefront of his mind what he is doing when he is playing his best footy,” Scott said.
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And he performed when needed to be among his team’s best as the midfield dominated contested ball to kick the final four goals of the match and win ugly.
“The players get a bit of reward for effort. It is hard to keep pounding in the same message and drilling the same drills and working on the same elements of the craft if you don’t get small wins along the way,” Scott said.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley laid the defeat at the hands of the senior players who just did not perform at the standard they are capable of playing to change the result.
