Australian Football

Match Report

In a match pivotal to the finals chances of both teams, Essendon has pipped West Coast by three points in a thrilling contest at Docklands in Saturday's twilight match. The result was heartbreaking for the Eagles, as victory would have taken them to seventh place on the ladder but, such is the closeness of the race for places in the top eight, the loss condemn them to 12th. West Coast could yet make the eight, but will need to rely on other results falling its way to do so.

The match was a tight affair early, with each side kicking two goals in the first quarter but the Eagles got right on top in the second term, kicking six goals to two to lead by 23 points at the long break. When Jamie Cripps added to further goals at the seven and nine-minute marks of the third term, that lead was extended to 34 points and the Eagles looked to be heading for a place in the top eight. But as they have done several times this season, the Bombers mounted a second-half challenge. The Dons kicked five of the next six goals, two of those to the soon-to-be-retired Jason Winderlich, to close the gap to just 11 points at three-quarter time. The Dons carried their momentum into the final term, goals at the nine-minute mark from Winderlich and 12-minute mark from David Zaharakis taking them to a three-point lead. 

Amazingly, Zaharakis' goal was the last for the match, as both sides defended valiantly for the last 20 minutes. The Eagles looked to have a chance to steal the match with time running out, but a Josh Hill mark when it was controversially deemed that he had pushed his opponent in the back. The Bombers swept the ball out of defence and held on to win by three points and take a firm grip on seventh spot.

Dyson Heppell was magnificent for the Bombers, with 39 touches and three tackles, while Luke Shuey (27 disposals and eight tackles) was outstanding for the Eagles. 

Essendon could sew up a finals place with wins over Gold Coast at Docklands and Carlton at the MCG in its final two home and away games, while the Eagles will need to defeat Melbourne at home and Gold Coasat at Marrara to keep their September dream alive.

GOALS
Essendon: Winderlich 3; Daniher 2; Watson, Myers, Stanton, Ambrose, Chapman, Zaharakis
West Coast: Kennedy, Cripps 3; Darling 2; Cox, Shuey, Lycett

BEST - SPORTAL.COM.AU
Essendon: Heppell, Hibberd, Colyer, Zaharakis, Watson, Myers
West Coast: Shuey, Mackenzie, Hurn, Priddis, Cripps, Masten

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Essendon: Hibberd, Winderlich, Heppell, Watson, Myers, Zaharakis, Daniher
West Coast: Hurn, Priddis, Darling, Mackenzie, Kennedy, Gaff

INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
West Coast: Sam Butler (concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Zach Merrett replaced Jake Melksham in the third quarter
West Coast: Simon Tunbridge replaced Sam Butler in the fourth quarter

UMPIRES: Donlon, Ryan, McInerney

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Anthony Hudson, Eddie McGuire, Jason Dunstall, Dermott Brereton David King