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The Western Bulldogs have recorded their second largest ever win against Essendon after beating the Bombers by 87 points at Etihad Stadium.
BULLDOGS 19 13 127
ESSENDON 5 10 40
7 goals to former Bomber Stewart Crameri, and 4 to Jesse Stringer, handed the Bulldogs their first win against Essendon since 2010.
The Bombers were competitive in the first quarter, with just one goal scored between the two teams.
Both sides had plenty of inside 50’s but struggled to put pressure on the scoreboard.
>>MATCH REPORT: Slick Bulldogs dismantle Bombers
Only Crameri got a goal in the first quarter.
It would be the second time this season – Round 6 against Geelong – that the Bombers were kept goal less in the first quarter.
In the second term the Bulldogs would kick away.
Four unanswered goals, including two to Crameri, gave the Bulldogs a 32 point lead.
In fact it would take ten minutes for the Bombers to register their first inside 50 for the term.
Stanton then kicked the first goal for the Bombers after a mistake from the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs would then add another three goals, to just one from the Bombers, and lead by 39 points at half time.
Jesse Stringer and Crameri kicked three goals as they dominated the 2nd quarter.
The Bulldogs would continue the onslaught after half time as Crameri added a 4th goal.
Essendon responded with two quick goals, in the middle of the quarter, but the Bulldogs kicked four goals in the final seven minutes the open up a 70 point lead at three quarter time.
The final term became a training run for the Bulldogs as they added four more goals.
Caleb Daniel, the small South Australian, kicked two big goals to give the Bulldogs a big win and almost seal a finals spot.
Champion Data, after the win, have them at 94% to make the finals.
They can try to seal the finals spot with a win against the Power next week. The Bombers face the Giants in Sydney.
The Western Bulldogs will be looking to continue their march to the finals with a win against the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
After defeating the Magpies last week, by 18 points, the Bulldogs are now entrenched in the top eight. Another win today, with results going their way, will put them 6 points clear of ninth.
Their destiny is well and truly in their hands as they try to make their first finals appearance since 2010.
They face a team who was competitive last week against Port Adelaide, but just fell short. With a mixture of youth and experience, after a horror run of injuries in 2015, the Bombers are starting to be more competitive after a poor middle of the season.
They also have a fantastic record against the Bulldogs winning the last five matches between the two. Not since 2010 have the Bulldogs won against the Bombers.
The last two matches, in 2014, were decided by less than 10 points. In both contests the Bulldogs led at half time before being run over in the second half.
The Bulldogs are unchanged from the team that won against Collingwood. Essendon on the other hand have made four changes. The experimentation of the forward into a ruckman is over.
Shaun McKernan has been dropped with Jonathan Giles getting his first game for the Bombers after moving from GWS at the end of last season. He will be hoping to get just his sixth win in the AFL in 52 matches of football. He currently has the fourth worst percentage of wins in an AFL career. The top three all played for St Kilda in the first few years of the VFL.
Joining Giles in the team is Adam Cooney, Jake Carlisle, and Jake Melksham. Out are Ben Howlett, Michael Hurley, and Shaun Edwards.
There are two key areas to the match today. The first is Essendon matching the pace of the Bulldogs with the second focusing on kicking a score to be competitive. Last week they did that – against Port – but conceded too many points.
With the Bulldogs averaging 13 more points per game than the Bombers, they will need to defend well and score at least 85 points. They also need to match the pace of the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have won seven matches out of nine at Etihad Stadium by out-running their opponents. They will look to do the same again against the Bombers.
This match will be close. Essendon have some handy inclusions and look stronger than last week. Their record is also intimidating against the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs though have plenty to play for and that will be the difference.
Prediction
Bulldogs by 12 points.
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