Bombers hold on by/for 4 points

A dominant third term saw Essendon overrun the Dockers in a scrappy contest at Subiaco Oval this afternoon.

The Bombers were the better of the two taems, breaking habit to build a lead in the third term on the back of some slick, running football.

That three-goal lead was challenged by Fremantle, and in particular captain Matthew Pavlich, in the last quarter but the Dockers were not quite up to the task.

Essendon eventually won 14.11 (95) to 13.13 (91).

The Dockers got the perfect start to the final term with Pavlich kicking truly inside the first minute to reduce the deficit to two goals.The skipper added two more for the term to complete his tally of six in a lone role up forward.

But his efforts were to no avail as the Bombers stood firm to record their fifth win and keep alive their very slim finals chances.

Both sides committed errors with alarming regularity throughout the match to confirm their status near the foot of the table – but today’s result showed just how far the Bombers are in front of Fremantle as both look to build lists capable of winning a premiership.

Mark McVeigh and Jobe Watson were fantastic in the Bombers’ engine room with 36 possessions each but key forwards Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas were well held by their opponents.

Antoni Grover and Steven Dodd quelled the influence of the twin towers in the absence of regular defender Luke McPharlin, restricting them to a combined total of three goals.

After working hard in the first half the Dockers stood and watched their half-time lead disintegrate in the third term as the Bombers piled on four goals to one.

The Essendon players were more willing to run hard to assist their team mates, an attribute that eventually brought reward in the form of three late goals to Adam Ramanauskas, Sam Lonergan and Lucas.

Pavlich was the only big winner for Fremantle, collecting 18 touches and carrying the bulk of the scoring load.

Chris Mayne’s performance was encouraging while ruckman Aaron Sandilands had a lot of the ball.

Essendon lost key defender Dustin Fletcher to a hand injury in the second quarter.

Bombers hold off fast-finishing Dockers

Essendon have notched their third win on the trot and kept their slim finals hopes alive with a thrilling four-point AFL victory over an injury-hit Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.

Essendon looked on course for a comfortable victory when they shot out to a 24-point lead early in the final quarter, but a Matthew Pavlich-inspired comeback, during which the Dockers skipper booted three goals, saw the home side close the gap to four points with 83 seconds remaining on the clock.

But the Dockers, reduced to just one fit man on the bench, couldn't find the winning goal despite launching countless attacks in the dying minutes, with the Bombers holding on for the 14.11 (95) to 13.13 (91) victory.

It was a gutsy performance by Fremantle, who lost Roger Hayden and Ryley Dunn to first-half hamstring injuries and were dealt a further blow when Ryan Crowley was rushed to hospital in the third quarter with a suspected punctured lung.

Essendon were also hit by injury, with defender Dustin Fletcher suffering a suspected broken hand in the second quarter.

Bombers midfielder Mark McVeigh finished with 36 possessions and a goal, while Brent Stanton (two goals) was another to lift when the game was there to be won.

Pavlich was superb for the Dockers with a six-goal haul, while youngster Chris Mayne was superb early and finished the match with 22 possessions and two goals.

Aaron Sandilands amassed an amazing 45 hit-outs to go with his 25 touches, dwarfing Essendon's team total of 12 ruck taps.

Both sides spurned chances in a scrappy opening quarter but it was Essendon who took the first-term honours, outscoring their opponents three goals to two.

Pavlich shot to life in the second quarter on the back of some excellent work up the field from Mayne, Rhys Palmer and 25-year-old debutant Josh Head, who was a late replacement for Luke McPharlin (ribs).

The Freo skipper booted three goals within the space of nine minutes as the home side opened up a 20-point lead.

But Mark McVeigh and David Hille brought Essendon back into the contest as the visitors slammed through the final three goals of the quarter to close the gap to one point at half-time.

Scores were level when Pavlich missed a set shot at the 21-minute mark of the third quarter before Essendon speedster Leroy Jetta turned the match in Essendon's favour, setting up Scott Lucas and Sam Lonergan for goals as the Bombers headed for home with a handy 18-point advantage.

It was a war of attrition in the final quarter as the Dockers launched their comeback but, despite Pavlich's heroics, Fremantle fell just short in front of 34,239 devastated fans.

The win lifts Essendon (5-9 win-loss) to 12th on the table, although the Bombers remain two games and percentage adrift of the top eight.

Having tipped ESSENDON for three weeks in a row now, all I can say is, bring on the Lions after the break at the Concrete Dome!

Cheers,

CHRISTOS BOMBEROPOULOS