Bombers Coach Scott Calls Out “Selfishness” Amidst Dismal Start
Essendon coach Brad Scott has expressed deep concern over a perceived “selfishness” creeping into his playing group, as the struggling Bombers have slumped to two significant defeats to commence their 2026 AFL season. Following a disappointing opening round loss to Hawthorn, the team endured a brutal 63-point thrashing at the hands of Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. The margin had ballooned to a staggering 80 points by the final quarter, leaving the Bombers looking demoralised.
Scott, in his fourth year at the helm, articulated his vision for a club culture rooted in teamwork. “We want to build a club and a culture that is based on team-first,” Scott stated after the heavy defeat. “We can’t have selfishness, players who think about themselves. We’ve done a lot of work to make sure we don’t have that. But when things are really hard, and you get demoralised, human nature is to think about yourself and ‘what does this mean for me’. We’ve got so much work to do in that space.”
However, Essendon recruit Brayden Fiorini was quick to defend his coach, insisting the playing group stands by Scott “100 per cent”. Fiorini placed the onus squarely on the players, asserting that Scott had prepared the team effectively and that their failure to execute the game plan was the reason for the successive poor performances and a 15th consecutive loss. “We stand by Scotty 100 per cent,” Fiorini commented. “I thought he prepared us really well this week. We had a really good gameplan going in, and it’s on us players that we didn’t execute. We didn’t get it done today. It’s on us as players.”
Scott acknowledged that a lack of defensive desire was a contributing factor. “I think it’s part of it,” he conceded. “It would be ridiculous for me to say that’s not the case. We’re not hard-nosed enough in defence, full stop. I’m a coach who very rarely questions lack of effort, (and) lack of fight … but there’s no doubt that we’re demoralised. That can appear to look like lack of effort and lack of fight.”
Bombers’ Losing Streak Deepens
The pressure on Scott intensified as Essendon’s dismal start to the season continued. The team was largely uncompetitive throughout the match against Port Adelaide, with the deficit widening significantly in the latter stages. Commentator Kane Cornes described the performance as a “coach-killing” display during the first half, where Essendon trailed by 49 points at the break, having conceded nine unanswered goals.
This latest defeat extends Essendon’s losing streak to an alarming 15 games, marking the second-longest in the club’s history. Their last victory dates back 303 days to a clash with Richmond last season. This current skid is surpassed only by the 17-game losing streak experienced during the 2016 doping suspension crisis.
Port Adelaide Secures Victory Amidst Injury Concerns
While Port Adelaide secured a comfortable win, their maiden victory under new coach Josh Carr, the game was marred by several injury concerns. Captain Connor Rozee was forced off the field in the third quarter with hamstring numbness after lunging for a tackle. While his knee hyperextended, there appears to be no joint damage. Miles Bergman also left the field in the fourth quarter after injuring his ankle.
Essendon also added to their casualty list, with Mason Redman injuring his knee in the opening term and Dyson Sharp rolling his ankle in a tackle.
Port Adelaide’s dominant performance was highlighted by strong showings from their key players. Connor Rozee was instrumental before his injury, amassing 20 disposals by halftime. Zak Butters’ influence in the midfield forced Essendon to abandon their tag on Archie Roberts. Aliir Aliir was a defensive force, intercepting numerous possessions, while Jason Horne-Francis kicked three goals in the first quarter.
The Power asserted their dominance early, kicking 21 of the first 23 inside-50 entries and establishing a 32-point lead by quarter time. They consistently exploited gaps in Essendon’s defence and controlled the outside play, finishing with significantly more marks. While Essendon managed a late flurry of goals, spearheaded by Nate Caddy, Port Adelaide had already put the game beyond doubt.
Eagles Stun Kangaroos in Perth Upset
In a dramatic turnaround, West Coast Eagles staged an impressive comeback to defeat North Melbourne by 17 points at Optus Stadium. The Eagles, who boast the youngest and most inexperienced list in the AFL, overcame a 30-point deficit to secure the victory in front of a crowd of 47,083.
The Kangaroos appeared to be cruising towards an easy win, holding a 49-19 lead early in the second quarter. However, West Coast responded emphatically, kicking eight of the next nine goals to seize control of the match. Key performances from Elliot Yeo (19 disposals, two goals), Harley Reid (30 disposals), and Jamie Cripps (three goals) were instrumental in snapping the club’s 14-game losing streak.
The Eagles’ young talent was on full display, with No. 1 draft pick Willem Duursma contributing two goals and a spectacular pack mark, and No. 4 pick Cooper Duff-Tytler also kicking two goals. Jobe Shanahan and Archer Reid added two majors each, as did mature-age recruit Milan Murdock.
Voss Fined for Taunting Incident
Fremantle forward Patrick Voss has been charged with misconduct by the AFL for taunting Melbourne’s Harrison Petty. Voss was fined $1500 for mimicking a crying motion towards Petty after the quarter-time siren. The act was a reference to an incident in 2022 where Petty became emotional after being sledged by Brisbane’s Dayne Zorko about his sick mother.
While the AFL does not have a specific rule against taunting, the Match Review Officer deemed Voss’s actions unsportsmanlike and unacceptable, noting the potential for retaliation and the desire to set an example for junior leagues. Voss’s actions drew widespread condemnation, although Dockers coach Justin Longmuir defended the player, acknowledging he “treads a fine line.” SEN commentator Kane Cornes expressed concern about the precedent being set, questioning the sanction for a non-verbal gesture. Fox Footy’s David King suggested that while difficult to sanction under current rules, the incident warrants discussion to address unsavoury aspects of the game. Voss, a popular figure at Fremantle known for his goal celebrations, also picked up Ed Langdon in a tackle and carried him towards the fence during the match.
In other AFL news:
* Gold Coast forward Bailey Humphrey received a two-game suspension for rough conduct following a sling tackle on Richmond’s Maurice Rioli.
* Giants captain Toby Greene was fined for striking St Kilda’s Marcus Windhager.
