A courageous effort from Essendon Bombers was not enough as GWS Giants lead the ladder for the first time in their history, beating the Bombers by 16 points at Spotless Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
GWS Giants 18.9.117
Essendon Bombers 15.11.101
The Essendon Bombers travel up to Spotless Stadium this Saturday to take on the second-placed GWS Giants. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4:35pm (AEST).
With the first of the bye rounds coming into effect this week, both the Giants and the Bombers will be looking to grab a vital win before heading into a well-earned week off, with the Bombers looking for extra reason to celebrate with Brendon Goddard playing in his 300th game.
Coming off their first ever win against West Coast, the Giants possibly grabbed their biggest win of the season, flying up to Perth and beating the Eagles on their own home soil.
It was the opposite of stories for Essendon, with a disappointing loss against Richmond in the annual ‘Dreamtime at the G’ clash being mostly overshadowed by the controversial rushed behind call paid against the Tigers.
It will be a tough task for the Dons, heading up to Spotless where GWS have been undefeated this year.
That isn’t to say that the Dons are completely out of it, however. GWS have won four games out of eight by less than 10 points, three of which were played at Spotless and were by less than a goal.
If the Bombers are to get up on Saturday afternoon, then they will need their midfield to fire against a well-oiled GWS machine. Essendon are ranked 16th for taking the ball inside 50, and GWS are ranked first in clearances, whilst the Bombers are dead last.
Essendon have brought back Brent Stanton, Martin Gleeson and Ben Howlett in replacement for Matt Dea and the injured duo of James Kelly and Darcy Parish, while GWS have only made one change, bringing in the returning Tom Scully for Tim Mohr.
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The player to watch
Toby Greene, who returns from Perth having racked up 25 disposals to go with his 2 goals. Comparisons to Ben Cousins have accompanied the young Giant, so look for him to have a big impact on Saturday.
Prediction
With a season that has been defined as being so hotly contested, you can expect this game to be a cracker, and it makes the match pretty hard to call. While GWS have dominated, as most have expected, there have been speed bumps, and few would have predicted Essendon to be in the position that they currently sit at now.
However, you just can’t go against the favourites, and with the Giants coming off arguably their biggest scalp of the year thus far, I’m going GWS to run away with it.
GWS by 30 points
Can Leon Cameron lead his men to yet another win, putting them strongly in the position of flag contenders? Or will Brendon Goddard find reason to celebrate as the Bombers bully their way into the top eight conversation?
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4:35pm (AEST).
prince igor
Guest
Great win to GWS they are on their way now 20,000 members and growing and 13.671 at the match
JR
Guest
Goddard nearly had his head ripped off but cant earn a free. Instead it goes the other end and baby face greene gets a very soft free. Great umpiring, not!!!!!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
END OF FOURTH QUARTER GWS 18.9 (117) defeated Essendon 15.11 (101) by 16 points. Valiant effort from the Bombers, but GWS were just all too much tonight as they go to the top of the table for the first time in their short history. The stars of the game were Josh Kelly and Toby Greene, whilst Josh Green and McDonald-Tinpungwuti were good for the Bombers. GWS take on Carlton at Etihad next week before their bye, and the same goes for Essendon, who take on Port Adelaide at the same stadium. Thanks for joining us today, it's been a blast!
TomC
Roar Guru
Have to say this was a very creditable performance by the Bombers.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
The Giants keep on going, and Kelly glides through the middle before trying to kick one for himself, but hits the outside post, putting this out on the full.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-117 Essendon-101 1.36 Q4 Kick inside fifty from the ball up finds Bellchambers, who runs back and bangs this one home, but it's all too little too late for the Bombers tonight. GWS by 16 points.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-117 Essendon-95 2.02 Q4 The GWS forward pressure is too much for Essendon, and finally one of their kicks is marked by Kennedy. Matthew Kennedy goes back to take time off the clock, and then he does one better for the Giants and slots the match-sealer. It's game over here at Spotless. GWS by 22 points
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Toby Greene goes back for his fourth goal, and he definitely mutilates this one! Essendon get away with one, they're still alive, but one more goal from GWS will finish the match here. 3 minutes left here, the Dons have to go, now.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-111 Essendon-95 5.32 Q4 Gleeson plays on, goes to Goddard who gets hammered! Could have been a free, but GWS are out here! They have huge space, but Cameron hits the post! They're still in it, the Dons, but barely. GWS by 16 points.
TomC
Roar Guru
Geez, it's a good thing Dwayne Russell isn't umpiring this game. The Bombers would have had 60 free kicks.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Collier gets 50, assumingly for Llyod going over the mark. He sits it up long for Hooker, but Phil Davis comes flying through and smashes it out of bounds.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Shiel off a step and kicks towards goal, but 300 gamer Goddard intercepts and takes a clutch mark inside the goal square! The Dons need the next one here, about 7 minutes left, but they need it to keep in touch.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-110 Essendon-95 8.27 Q4 And just like that, GWS find the reply! Desperate footy there, and the ball bobbles out to Zac Williams, who bursts through the pack and kicks it! Immediate reply there, good stuff from the Giants. GWS by 15 points.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-104 Essendon-95 8.58 Q4 Joe Daniher takes a shot from well outside 50, and he either sets it up or mutilates it, you decide, but he finds the man of the hour, McDonald-Tipungwuti, who takes another great mark. He goes back and kicks the goal!! We are on here at Spotless! GWS by 9 points.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-104 Essendon-89 10.03 Q4 The Bombers switch in the backline, and they find Zaharakis in the middle. He is spoiled, but recovers and finds McDonald-Tipungwuti who takes a brilliant diving mark. He makes no mistake, and slots the goal. They're alive here, the Dons. They can still smell victory. GWS by 15
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-104 Essendon-83 13.01 Q4 GWS hit the counter attack in a good bit of team footy and are able to find Toby Greene, who has also been everywhere today. He goes back for goal number four, but misses to the right as well after trying from a similar position to Stewart. Giants by 21
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-103 Essendon-83 13.54 Q4 Bagley goes to Stewart, who gets outmarked by Shaw, but he gives away the free in the process! This is big from James Stewart, but he is unable to convert from a very tough spot, and misses to the right. Giants by 20
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-103 Essendon-82 15.23 Q4 Josh Kelly, whose been everywhere today, finds space and takes the shot from about 40 on the run, but puts it just wide. GWS by 21
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GWS-102 Essendon-82 16.06 Q4 GWS go again, and drills the ball into Cameron, who wins himself a free. In a rare set of circumstances, Jeremy Cameron misses the goal from the set shot. GWS by 20