‘Risen to the challenge’: Bombers end ‘week from hell’ with brutal 30min ‘mauling’

It was described as the “week from hell” as the Bombers stared down the possibility of a 0-3 start for just the second time since 1967.

But a final quarter blitz elevated Brad Scott’s men as they claimed a hard-fought 12-point win over Port Adelaide on Thursday night.

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That fourth term was the perfect response for an Essendon side who were dragged through the mud after coughing up 161 points to Adelaide just five days prior.

But a week is a long time in footy.

“It was the week from hell – they knew it, they had to respond and the way they dug in late, I’m glad for them,” Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna said.

“They get some relief and some respite. This week-to-week cycle, things can change quite quickly.”

AFL great Jason Dunstall said it was clear the Bombers “were never going to get stopped” during a final quarter surge where they slotted four goals to one to take victory at Marvel Stadium.

“Grit and determination – this is one team that wanted the game more than the other,” he praised.

“Prepared to work hard, prepared to win the contested footy, and they got the result they actually desired.

“They’ve risen to the challenge tonight.

“They’ve done what they need to do to keep everyone at bay.

“The football world loves to kick people while they’re down, it’s just the nature of the beast. We pump them up and then when it’s ready to go the other way, everyone’s happen to do that as well. They can be pretty proud of their efforts.”

Two-time premiership Roo David King described the final term as a “mauling” – as the statistics told a similar tale.

The Bombers ran out the last quarter +28 for points, +15 contested possessions, +3 clearances and +8 inside 50s.

“Last week wasn’t a great representation clearly,” skipper Zach Merrett told Fox Footy.

“But I think it’s been a bit of an anomally – I think we’ve been number two for pressure differential the last 18 months.

“I wouldn’t call it a mulligan, but it was something out of character (the blowout loss to the Crows).”

“We didn’t want to be passive and sitting back – we had to hit it head on,” Dylan Shiel said post-match.

“We were really feeling it through the week with them (the fans), and glad we could make them proud tonight.”

Speaking after the win, Bombers coach Brad Scott was proud of his side’s response after being “exposed” by Adelaide in Round 2.

“The work they put in during the week, when really they probably could have said ‘Look, I’m exhausted, I need a break’ – they just go to work these guys,” he said.

“The criticism is warranted because the opposition kicked 160 points last week – I’m not interested in answering to the criticism.

“The most pleasing thing when you have a disappointing performance, you get to choose how you respond to it – you can capitulate, (say) it’s all too hard and the pressure’s overwhelming, or you can respond. I think that’s a pretty good measure of character.”

Leading the way for the Bombers was Merrett with a game-high 34 disposals. But the role of 23-year-old Sam Durham was important in the win as he racked up 14 contested possessions to go with his 12 score involvements.