'Do they not care?': Matthew Lloyd fumes as Hawthorn slaughters Essendon in Zach Merrett grudge match
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd has slammed his club's performance, as their 2026 campaign begins with a 10-goal thrashing at the hands of Hawthorn.
After an even first quarter, it was all Hawthorn from there on in the 21.19. (145) to 13.5. (83) win, as Lloyd slammed the "damning loss".
All eyes were on Zach Merrett early after his attempt to jump ship to the Hawks in the trade period. You'd pay a penny for his thoughts on the final siren.
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Brad Scott, Senior Coach of the Bombers during the 2026 AFL Round 01 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 13, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images) AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Essendon star was prolific early, kicking a big goal, but the fizz went out of that storyline alongside the scoreboard.
Hawthorn did the damage across the second and third quarters, piling on 13 goals from 23 shots on goal.
Lloyd's frustration came from the Dons' lack of defensive cohesion in their first outing of the season, as their opponents slaughtered them on transition all night.
"It's the way they're being opened up and the way they're losing," Lloyd told 3AW.
"Like, I don't know, do they not know? Have they not been taught? Do they not care? Those are the sorts of things you're asking at round one about this defensive performance.
"It's the way they're being opened up. They're all charging forward. When you're getting opened up, don't charge forward. You know it's about to come back and hurt you. Have a bit more care in your team defence.
Josh Weddle of the Hawks celebrates a goal. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"Nine goals they've scored from the defensive half Hawthorn (to three quarter time). You would love to be a Hawthorn player, it's been party time.
"Josh Weddle was under the pump, he'd be going 'how good's footy' tonight. He can do whatever he wants. They've been able to queue up and enjoyed their night at the office.
"It's just been a defensive system breakdown. They have broken down systematically. Brad Scott has got to be asked some hard questions after this game around just how poor they have been defensively all over the ground.
"This is a damning loss."
Hawks key forward Jack Gunston continues to show no signs of slowing down, booting five goals and out marking various Essendon opponents throughout the night.
Nick Watson booted four from 17 disposals, while Connor Macdonald was dominant early with two goals and 24 touches.
Macdonald and Dylan Moore (24 touches and a goal) put the revelation of their off-season arrest overseas behind them quickly.
Merrett led the way for the Bombers with 32 disposals and a goal, while Sam Durham kicked two from 23 touches.
Hawthorn will host Sydney at the MCG in round two, while Essendon travels to South Australia to take on Port Adelaide.
