AFL Rd 4 - Essendon v Carlton
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Dylan Shiel of the Bombers (L) and Devon Smith of the Bombers look dejected after the round 4 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Could there be a reason for Essendon’s poor first half against Geelong?

The Bombers are currently staying in Maroochydore, which is usually a two-hour drive from Brisbane.

However, captain Dyson Heppell revealed that the Bombers were forced to endure an extra 90-minute bus ride to get to the Gabba due to congestion on Queensland roads.

“It was a bit of a mission and we got stuck in a bit of traffic,” Heppell said on Channel 7.

“Everyone is out and about but there’s no issue and the boys are nice and calm and it won’t have too much of an impact on our preparation and we’ll be ready to go.”

The delay meant the Bombers arrived at the ground less than an hour before the first bounce.

They trailed 75-16 at half time.