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.

โ€œIt was a bit of a mission and we got stuck in a bit of traffic,โ€ Heppell said on Channel 7.

โ€œEveryone is out and about but thereโ€™s no issue and the boys are nice and calm and it wonโ€™t have too much of an impact on our preparation and weโ€™ll be ready to go.โ€

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

They trailed 75-16 at half time.