March back to finals 'before time for Essendon'

Essendon have dispatched Collingwood with ease to ensure they'll take to their elimination final in fine touch, having downed the Magpies by 38 points at the MCG.

After missing out on the finals in a dreadful 2020 campaign, the Bombers have completed their road back to September with a 16.6 (102) to 9.10 (64) victory over the Magpies.

Fremantle's capitulation at the hands of St Kilda at Bellerive Oval earlier in the afternoon had sewed up Essendon's finals berth before the opening bounce, but Ben Rutten's men nonetheless took to the Magpies with vigour.

Eight-placed Essendon are now set to face the fifth-placed Western Bulldogs in an elimination final at York Park in Launceston next Sunday.

The Bombers have snuck into the finals despite having been considered a long shot to make the top eight ahead of the season.

Many experts were alarmed by another underwhelming Essendon campaign in 2020, in which the Bombers finished 13th on the ladder.

That was despite their recent high-level activity at the trade table, which had drawn stars like Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith and Jake Stringer.

The loss of key Bombers Joe Daniher, Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia during the 2020 trade period had many experts thinking Essendon would return to being a developing side, but three picks in the top 10 have accelerated their rejuvenation much quicker than expected.

While 10th pick Zach Reid's season was ruined by a stress fracture in his back, Nik Cox (pick eight) and Archie Perkins (nine) have thrived in their debut AFL campaigns.

St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt said a finals appearance would have a tremendous impact on the young Bombers.

"[Playing finals footy this year] is before time for the Essendon football club, which is invaluable for a group that does have a lot of young players that they're blooding and bringing through," Riewoldt said on Fox Footy's coverage.

"So for Cox and Perkins and guys like this, to be able to taste (finals footy) now regardless of what happens next week it'll be fantastic for their experience, their hunger, going into next year, to actually know what it's about now."

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