Five things we loved about what took place at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night ...
MICHAEL LUXFORD'S POST-GAME INTERVIEW
The former basketballer capped his remarkable journey from recruiting experiment to genuine AFL prospect when he made his debut at the highest level against the Bombers. He was so nervous when he initially came onto the field as a concussion sub replacement for Josh Caddy that his first kick went out on the full. He had to put the green vest back on when Caddy re-entered the fray, then returned to the fray after half-time and finished with five disposals from 18 per cent game-time. After the match he was in great form, telling CatsTV that when he received the ball for the first time, "My heart was beating fast as. I didn't know what to do with it."
SELWOOD'S FORM ON THE UP
The Cats' champion skipper went into Saturday night's clash with Essendon on the back of some form that he admitted had been "a bit rough". But he worked his way into some much better touch against the Bombers, and ended the night with 26 disposals, six tackles, nine clearances and two goals. His second goal was a beauty. He stripped Michael Hibberd of the ball, then snapped it through of his left foot. "It was a little trick," he told CatsTV after the game. "I don't have too many tricks, so it was nice to make sure I put it through."
DARCY LANG IN THE MIDFIELD
The late withdrawal of Rhys Stanley (corked thigh) meant Mark Blicavs had to partner Josh Walker in the ruck, which freed up a spot in the midfield. Darcy Lang stepped up into breach and performed with toughness and class, his contribution particularly valuable while Josh Caddy was off the field being checked for concussion. Lang's kicking to the forwards was a real delight, and the midfield coaches were delighted with his performance in which he tallied 22 disposals at 73 per cent efficiency.
Watch Joel Selwood's and Darcy Lang's interviews with CatsTV after the game
Darcy Lang in action against the Bombers (AFL Photos)
THE SPREAD OF GOALKICKERS
The backline has been rightly praised for a magnificent performance in holding Essendon to its lowest half-time score since round three, 1968, but up the other end things went very much to plan as well. Steven Motlop and Steve Johnson both bagged four goals, while Tom Hawkins, who had an enthralling battle with the impressive Cale Hooker, came to life after half-time and finished with four of his own. The Cats finished with eight goalkickers in all, with even ever-reliable defender Tom Lonergan sneaking forward and snagging one.
Watch Chris Scott's post-match press conference
JIMMY BARTEL WANTS TO BE BACK SOON
The Cats have been without the superstar midfielder since he suffered a knee injury against Gold Coast in round three. He was hoping to be back in full training by now, yet his progress was held up by an infection that saw him spend time in hospital. But Bartel has now set his sights on being back on the park for the clash with Melbourne at Simonds Stadium in round 12. All going to plan, that game will be champion defender Corey Enright's 300th, and Bartel is desperate to be part of the milestone occasion. "It’s something I’ve set myself," he told K-Rock Football in the lead-up to the Essendon game. "I'm pretty stubborn. If I say I want to do something I’m going to do it. I’ve played about 250 games with Corey and I think we’ve shared in about 180 wins together and we do have a pretty good relationship footy-wise. I’d just like to be part of it. [He's] an absolute legend of the club."
