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The Essendon Bombers have made a strong statement in their pre-season campaign, defeating the Geelong Cats by 19 points in the AAMI Community Series. The match saw the emergence of a new dynamic duo in Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy, who combined for seven goals to inspire their team to victory. Kako, who was taken by Essendon with pick No.13 in the Telstra AFL Draft, kicked four clever goals, while Caddy, a former first-round pick, added three goals in an eye-catching performance.
The Bombers' midfield domination, led by Zach Merrett, Jye Caldwell, and Elijah Tsatas, was a key factor in their win. Tsatas, in particular, was impressive, amassing 31 disposals, 10 clearances, and 15 contested possessions. The team's speed and agility were also on display, with Essendon registering 13 more handballs to kicks in the first term. Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy were the stars of the show, with their impressive goal-kicking and teamwork catching the eye of fans and commentators alike. The duo's performance has raised expectations for the upcoming season, with many predicting a strong year for the Bombers.
The Geelong Cats, on the other hand, had some impressive performances of their own, with Shannon Neale and Jeremy Cameron combining well in the forward line. Neale kicked two goals, while Cameron added two of his own, and the pair showed promising signs for the Cats' attack. Gryan Miers was also impressive, recording 30 disposals, nine marks, one goal, and a game-high eight score involvements. The Cats' midfield, led by Jack Bowes, who had 31 touches and 10 clearances, was also strong, but ultimately couldn't match the Bombers' pace and accuracy.
The match was played in front of a crowd of 11,626 at GMHBA Stadium, and the Bombers' win has given them a confidence boost ahead of their Opening Round match against the Gold Coast. The team's performance was also notable for the emergence of new players, including Sam Draper, who kicked a goal and had 25 hit-outs, and Dylan Shiel, who collected 25 disposals in a new role in defence. The Bombers' forward line, which has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks, also showed promising signs, with Kako and Caddy forming a deadly combination.
Here are the match scores:
- Geelong: 2.3, 8.4, 10.7, 12.11 (83)
- Essendon: 5.0, 8.1, 11.2, 17.2 (104)
- Geelong: Cameron 2, Stengle 2, Neale 2, Henry, Dangerfield, Blicavs, Bowes, Miers, Clohesy
- Essendon: Kako 4, Caddy 3, Martin 2, Perkins 2, Durham 2, Gresham 2, Bryan, Draper
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