Another poor crowd has coach Dean Solomon pleading with Essendon fans to keep the faith and turn up for their last game of the AFL season.
Only 24,767 fans were at the MCG on Sunday as Sydney killed the game off in the first quarter and beat the Bombers 17.10 (112) to 11.10 (76).
Excluding COVID-19, it was the worst Essendon crowd at the MCG for 33 years.
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Captain Andy McGrath will play his 200th game next Sunday against Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium and Solomon, the interim coach since the mid-season sacking of Brad Scott, urged Essendon’s fans to support the milestone.
“It’s critically important we honour Andy and we make sure we carry him off at the end of the year,” Solomon said.
“I’m a proud person … we’ll be doing everything we can to ensure we don’t get that title (worst Essendon side) next to our names.”
Last-placed Essendon only have two wins for the season and, if they lose to the Power, it will be the worst campaign in club history.
“I shouldn’t probably say this, but it’s really disappointing to see our crowds down,” Solomon said.
“This is where we dig in and support each other … we wade through the swamp together in the tough times.
Solomon said he understood why fans are staying away, but he pointed to the potential in the young Essendon list.
He said Sunday’s team featured seven players with less than 20 games of AFL experience.
After trailing by 37 points at quarter time and 44 early in the second term, Essendon outscored Sydney by a point over the last three quarters and showed plenty of spirit.
“I completely understand why they feel the way they do at the moment,” Solomon said.
“But I’m pleading for them to come back and support us. The next 40-60 games, it’s going to start building the right way and launch off that.
“If it can start next week, if we start rocking back up and supporting this young group … that would be much appreciated.”
Essendon could name their new coach this week and Solomon is confident that if that happens, it will not be a distraction for the Port game.
Former Bombers player Mark McVeigh was at the MCG as a Sydney assistant coach on Sunday and he is one of the candidates, along with James Hird, Jaymie Graham and Murray Davis.
Next Sunday could also be the last Essendon game for Zach Merrett, with speculation that he will again seek a trade to Hawthorn.
Essendon refused to let the former captain break his contract and join their arch-rivals in last year’s trade period.
