Essendon's finals hopes were all but extinguished in Saturday night's heartbreaking one-point loss to the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium.
With just two rounds remaining in the season, and following their own victory in the dying stages last weekend, the Bombers' revitalised dreams of September action were shattered with Mac Andrew's set-shot goal on the siren, sealing the Suns' first win away from home in 2024.
For coach Brad Scott, the loss was yet another devastatingly bitter pill to swallow, marking yet another chapter in what has been a season of near-misses and lost opportunities.
Having sat comfortably in the top five as recently as Round 17, Essendon has now dropped seven of their last ten games, a collapse that has left fans and players alike reeling. In his post-match press conference, Scott didn't shy away from the harsh reality his team faces.
"I think it's pretty obvious how everyone's feeling," Scott said, reflecting the deep disappointment coursing through the Hangar.
"It's just a tight comp. That's all it is."
FT. pic.twitter.com/36cte3wb4c
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) August 10, 2024
The match itself was a microcosm of Essendon's season - moments of promise overshadowed by critical lapses.
Despite dominating the territory battle in the final quarter with 19 inside 50s to eight and controlling the ball in their front half, the Bombers could only manage a dismal 1.9 in front of goal. That inaccuracy ultimately proved costly, as Andrew's crowning moment of his young career left the Bombers stunned.
"Gold Coast are a good contest team... but in the last quarter when the ball's in your front half for 84% of the quarter, and you have 19 inside fifties to eight, you have 11 scoring shots to two, you're giving yourself opportunity, aren't ya," Scott reflected.
"I haven't reviewed it in detail, but live we had everything that we wanted," Scott said of the chaotic final two minutes.
"Mac Andrew's just an elite, athletic type who won an outnumbered contest."
With Essendon's finals drought set to extend into a 21st year, Scott acknowledged the frustration felt by the club's supporter base but emphasised that such painful experiences are part of the growth process.
"We've certainly stressed ourselves and stressed our supporters, and now it's how we get the response," he said.
"As hard as it is now, you can draw on (games like this) in the future, because you've been there, you've experienced it."
"Whatever you're trying to improve in life, personally, collectively, you need to stress yourself and then you get a response from it."ย
"We'll have a concerted effort in the off-season, don't worry about that - 17 other clubs will as well."
A concussion to youngster Nik Cox was the only casualty in the match, his head knock amplifying the dour feeling in the Essendon camp heading into Round 23.ย
The Bombers meet Sydney at Marvel on Friday night to mathematically keep their season alive, albeit with little hope held even by their own faithful.