But that was as good as it got for the Bombers as Hawthorn put the foot down and ran away to register the 21.19 (145) to 13.5 (83) victory.<\/p>\n
The one-sided beat down at the MCG raises serious questions about the club\u2019s hope for the season ahead and will leave Zach Merrett wondering what could have been.<\/p>\n
Merrett desperately wanted out at the end of last season but a trade to Hawthorn couldn\u2019t be brokered between the teams with the 30-year-old having to return to Essendon and now facing the bleak reality that his career will go on without finals success.<\/p>\n
After a seven goal to two second quarter, Melbourne great Garry Lyon was left pondering if anything would change for the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat (first half) encapsulates everything that forced Zach Merrett to make the hardest decision of his footy life and ask for a trade,\u201d Lyon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was denied and he\u2019s gone back and done exactly the same thing and his football team have done exactly the same thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be an interesting watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
On multiple occasions throughout the contest on Friday night, the Hawks simply carved their way from the defensive half into their own 50 with ease.<\/p>\n
A barrage of players flooded forward as Essendon players were left in their tracks ball watching as the ball flew across the turf.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just shocked to see four or five loose Hawthorn players in the corridor,\u201d Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.<\/p>\n
Lyon added: \u201cIt\u2019s got a match-sim feeling about it. Merrett has had three touches this quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt almost seems like he\u2019s gone \u2018I\u2019m the highest rated player in the first half and I\u2019ve done everything I can.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI know he\u2019s not thinking this, but it\u2019s got a bit of \u2018what\u2019s the point?\u2019 about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"'Dumbest](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ef593f574f11a2d7e33c22722f1263f5.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Former Hawthorn player Jordan Lewis was scathing of the Bombers and the effort they put out in their opening game of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was like a training drill at times. Essendon players just looked like cones,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many times did we see Hawthorn players link up through handball or by foot from their D50.\u201d <\/p>\n
The victory comes after the Hawks were blown off the park by the Giants in their Opening Round encounter.<\/p>\n
GWS proved far too strong as they recorded the 27-point victory. The Hawks can move to 2-1 on the season when they welcome Sydney to the MCG next Thursday.<\/p>\n
Essendon will need to bounce back on the road as they venture into Adelaide next Sunday to take on the Power.<\/p>\n