Australian Football

Match Report

The signs weren’t good early for the Western Bulldogs. In fact, the game was all but over late in the opening term when the Essendon had seven goals and the Dogs had none. The Bombers won by a whopping 84 points, but incredibly they only had six more inside-50s. Essendon’s forward line, led by a red-hot Michael Hurley (five goals) was highly efficient. The Bulldogs’ lack of options up forward was again a major issue, with returning ruckman Will Minson their only real option. Bombers skipper Jobe Watson shot to Brownlow medal favouritism with another best on ground performance. It was a night to forget for the Bulldogs and it continued a terrible past month where they have lost their competitive edge that was their trademark earlier in the season. Key Dog Robert Murphy was subbed out of the contest at half-time with a hamstring injury. The win secured Essendon’s position in the top four, but they will have to keep winning as Adelaide are in fifth place, behind only on percentage.

GOALS

Essendon: Hurley 5; Reimers, Watson 3; Crameri, Ryder, Dell'Olio, Melksham 2; Hocking, Dempsey
Western Bulldogs: Minson 3; Liberatore 2; Campbell, Smith, Boyd

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Essendon: Hurley, Watson, Dempsey, Stanton, Hibberd, Hocking, Reimers
Western Bulldogs: Minson, Liberatore, Boyd, Picken, Dahlhaus, Smith

BEST - THE AGE
Essendon: Hurley, Watson, Hibberd, Howlett, Hocking, Fletcher
Western Bulldogs: Minson, Liberatore, Boyd, Higgins

COACHES COMMENTS

James Hird (Ess): Our ball movement was very good.We probably didn't defend the ground as well in parts but I'm not going to complain. I was very happy with the win.

Brendan McCartney (WB): That [effort] disappeared again in the last quarter. I reckon that was the smelliest bit of the day. There might be some panic externally with this. There's none internally.

Umpires: Margetts, Leppard, Findlay