Chappy ignites Bombers

Paul Chapman set the first quarter alight with two goals and a hand in another. Picture Michael Klein. Source: Michael Klein / News Corp Australia

NOT for the first time, it was the Essendon players who last night lifted the club above another day of off-field turmoil.

Right when the Bombers seemed on the brink of collapse, amid another stomach-turning chapter of the ASADA saga, captain Jobe Watson and his men made a powerful stand, launching the new season with an emphatic win over North Melbourne.

ELEMENTARY FOR WATSON

PLENTY OF LIFE IN OLD CAT

BOMBER: PLAYERS BOUGHT IN

SCOTT: MIDFIELD FAILED TO FIRE

Forgetting the cloud that hung over some players' careers, and the latest storm that concerned James Hird, Essendon united at Etihad Stadium to pulverise the much-hyped Roos by 39 points.

It again reiterated that the Bombers, supposedly at their most vulnerable mental state, have enormous heart and skill to execute a short-kicking game plan — that as we have seen in the first half of the past two seasons — can still trouble anyone.

The victory also eased the unquestionable knots in the fans stomachs about the coaching situation.

First-gamer Luke McDonald has his hands full with a rampaging Paul Chapman. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

For, even if Hird does not return, amid increased scrutiny on his position, they have a good one in Mark Thompson.

Last night, the boys clearly played for him. Especially ex-Cat Paul Chapman, who in his first game in red and black kicked four goals to spearhead the win for his former coach Thompson, showing there was plenty of gas left in the tank.

Finally, it celebrated Dustin Fletcher's record-breaking 379th game in the manner it deserved, after being overshadowed in the past 48 hours by the Hird fiasco.

North Melbourne looked anything but the big bolter this year, smashed in particular in the midfield and led comfortably at every change.

For all the preseason hype, North Melbourne's form was one of the biggest disappointments in the NAB series and throughout the first half last night, it seemed little had changed.

The Bombers again went with a short-chipping plan and looked as if they were almost waltzing upfield at times, racking up 60 more uncontested marks than North by the main change.

The Roos' defensive pressure was severely lacking, prompting Melbourne champion and special commentator Garry Lyon to claim the Roos were too "comfortable" with themselves.

What didn't help was the shoulder injury Todd Goldstein was forced to carry after hurting it in the first term.

Essendon captain Jobe Watson finished with 38 possessions. Picture by Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

But most surprising though was North's inability to close down — or even look like wanting to contain — Watson. With his club again under siege, the Brownlow Medallist was superb, mustering 20 possessions by midway through the second term. So precise was Watson's haul by hand and foot that by midway through the last term he was still operating above 90 per cent efficiency.

Given the publicity storm of the past 24 hours, the timing of Watson's onball annihilation could not have been more important for a club severely questioning the motivations of its own coach (for 2015) James Hird.

Showing trademark leadership, Watson coolly slotted a 35m goal on a tight angle to put the Bombers up by 27 points midway through the third term.

The new-look Essendon forward line was functioning much more fluently than you would expect of a team which had farewelled key forwards Stewart Crameri and Scott Gumbleton and lost ruckman Tom Bellchambers over summer.

Colt Joe Daniher took several impressive marks including this stretch. Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Paul Chapman, looking anything but a washed-up veteran, provided the spark in attack. He booted two of the Bombers first three goals, one a long bomb and the other a signature snap. Unselfishly, Chapman also fed out a bullet handpass to teammate Ben Howlett at point blank range to play a central role in building the early buffer. More than anything his strength, finishing and sense of space has injected a weapon that will take some curtailing this season.

When second-year colt Joe Daniher reeled in courageous pack marks running blindly into a pack in the second, and then fourth quarters, Essendon fans saw shades of a young Wayne Carey, and rejoiced in the making of a special spearhead. At the other end, Essendon stopper Cale Hooker demolished North danger man and acting captain Drew Petrie.

North's only hope was small forward Lindsay Thomas. With the club's improved midfield well-beaten, Thomas filled the highlight reel, twice launching himself high on the backs of opponents to take an old-fashioned screamer.

He kept the Roos within 21 points nearing the last change when he bagged his fourth goal of the night, threading the tightest of angles under heavy pressure 40m out on the boundary.

But whenever one of his midfielders had the ball, there was nowhere to turn. The collection of Kangaroos' runners who fuelled the club's reputation as one of the most damaging and exciting offensive teams in the competition were hemmed in all night.

NORTH MELBOURNE: 9.6 (60)

ESSENDON: 15.9 (99)

JAY CLARK'S BEST

NORTH MELBOURNE BEST Thomas, Cunnington, MacMillan, Goldstein

ESSENDON BEST Watson, Chapman, Goddard, Hooker, Howlett, Heppell, Ryder

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