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The Western Bulldogs gained a much-needed surge of confidence before the AFL finals courtesy of a 46-point win over Essendon at Telstra Dome tonight.
The Dogs overcame a sluggish first quarter with seven goals in the second and nine in the third to coast to a 23.15 (151) to 15.15 (105) victory.
While an overpowering of an inexperienced and injury-depleted Essendon side currently 12th hardly ranks as the Bulldogs’ best performances of the season, they entered the penultimate round coming off four losses from their previous five games despite being assured a top-three finish.
That shaky form continued in the opening quarter with some turnovers and bad decisions, but the Bulldogs’ skilful midfielders got enough of the ball from midway through the second term to wreak havoc.
Forward Mitch Hahn seized on the supply with a series of contested grabs and a career-best six goals to underline his standing as one of the strongest-marking players in the game.
Hahn, who is aiming to avoid injury next week to play his first final after 133 games, booted his sixth goal to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 70, but the Bombers kicked the last four goals.
Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson and Jason Akermanis booted four goals each and ruckman Will Minson stretched Essendon’s height deficiencies with two goals in the third quarter, both from big grabs.
Adam Cooney, Daniel Giansiracusa and Daniel Cross collected 84 disposals between them, and their efficiency with the ball came in direct contrast to Essendon, who progressively became more indecisive.
The Bombers started well enough, and led by eight points early in the second term but missed a golden chance to stretch the Doggies further.
Ricky Dyson had the chance to mark a risky kick across goal by Minson, but the Bomber went up with only one hand.
Had he marked and goaled the Dons would have led by 14 points, but the Bulldogs swept the ball to the other end and Nathan Eagleton cut the deficit to two points.
Hahn put the Bulldogs in front three minutes later and Essendon never got so close again.
Matthew Lloyd finished with four goals for Essendon, while Brent Stanton was their biggest possession-winner with 28 touches, plus two goals.
The Bulldogs’ win was their fifth straight over Essendon and moved them to second on the ladder, although they will drop back to third if Hawthorn beat West Coast on Sunday.
Essendon coach Matthew Knights said his players let themselves down for 25 minutes in the second term, but conceded the Bulldogs were too polished with the ball.
“We had a lot of young players and you back them in to make good decisions but it’s a great experience to play against a reasonably polished outfit,” he said.
“The way they (the Dogs) moved the ball through the midfield was a lot cleaner and a lot more precise.”
Knights admitted Dyson’s mistake was crucial in relinquishing momentum.
“If Ricky had his time again he would have taken that mark,” he said.
“… But people make mistakes on the footy ground so I’m not going to lambast them.”
Essendon’s injury concerns continued, as Andrew Welsh experienced hamstring tightness and Jobe Watson rolled his ankle.
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