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A second-half rally has earned the Western Bulldogs a 33-point win over Essendon at Etihad Stadium, which has them breathing easier in third spot on the AFL ladder.
Down by 15 points through the second term and being out-run and out-muscled by the Bombers, the Bulldogs responded with a six-goal third quarter and five in the last to secure a 15.13 (103) to 11.4 (70) win.
Mitch Hahn kicked five goals, including three in the third quarter, skipper Brad Johnson and Ryan Griffen had big influences when needed and the Bulldogs’ key defenders enjoyed a great night.
Fullback Brian Lake kept Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd to two goals – both in the last quarter – and his colleagues Tom Williams and Dale Morris shut Bombers Scott Lucas and Kyle Reimers out of the match.
The Bulldogs’ win gave them an 11-5 win-loss record and avenged last Friday night’s one-point defeat to Collingwood.
They now sit in outright third spot, a game clear of the Magpies and Adelaide.
The result was also a telling one for Essendon, who missed the chance to land a big scalp, and who must sweat on results going their way in round 16.
Essendon are likely to stay in eighth spot over the weekend, but their loss means Port Adelaide and Hawthorn – the only two sides outside the eight which can make the finals – can join the Dons on 8-8 records.
While not the goal-fest many expected, the prime timeslot served up another entertaining match notable for Essendon’s pacy goals in the first half and the Bulldogs’ tackling and good ball movement in the second.
However the Bulldogs also enjoyed their share of the umpiring, as five of their goals came from free kicks.
Three of those were dubious calls, most notably two in the third quarter, one to Will Minson for chopping, and another to Shaun Higgins for body contact, which resulted in majors.
Higgins’ goal put the Bulldogs 19 points up at three-quarter time and although Lloyd’s major gave Essendon a sniff at the start of the last quarter, Hahn and Scott Welsh (three goals) stitched up a sixth successive win over the Bombers.
Essendon’s electrifying speed was on hand when Jason Winderlich and Alwyn Davey kicked goals in the second quarter, but the Bombers finished the game ragged, as the Bulldogs dominated possession.
Veteran defender Dustin Fletcher was again one of Essendon’s best, along with youngsters Heath Hocking and Michael Hurley and midfielder Andrew Lovett.
Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said despite trailing at half-time, he was pleased with his side’s effort and defensive work, and instead stressed the need to hit targets with the ball.
He was impressed by the way his players ran out the game.
“We knew that Essendon are the best third-quarter team in the competition, so we’d spoken about that and that was a challenge for our players and their levels of fitness,” he said.
“Being able to kick six goals in that third quarter and to be able to keep it going in the last quarter (deserves) full credit to our guys.”
The Bulldogs play ladder-leading St Kilda in round 17, and Eade said his side was well-placed for the challenge.
“We’ve got a full list and players in form and it’s pleasing we’re playing some good, hard, tough footy,” he said.
“Against the team that’s on top of the ladder that’s what we’ll need to produce next week.”
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