The Western Bulldogs have put their hand up in deserving to play finals in 2023 – outplaying Essendon and kicking away late to in a hot start to Round 19.
The Bombers, entering the final term 20 points down, had Marvel Stadium roaring with unrelenting pressure and the momentum to suit. The Bulldogs have struggled to prevent opposition run-ons this season and Brad Scott smelt blood in the water.
But after the heartbreaking nature of last week’s loss to Sydney, Luke Beveridge’s troops not only regrouped, but pulled away in proving their finals credentials.
A 41-point win wasn’t representative of the clash in its entirety, but consecutive losses will worry Essendon fans to no end, as will a quad injury to Jordan Ridley.
The intercepting defender was near best-on for the home side, but finished the clash with ice on his leg.
Scott will point to the inside 50s – a stat the Bombers broke even in - to give his side hope with five games to play in the regular season. The Dons also convincingly won the tackle count despite similar disposals numbers and had they not hit the post twice in the final term, the result could have been closer.
But a Bontempelli-inspired Bulldogs outfit was first to the footy too often. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan did the damage up forward with three majors, while Bontempelli added two of his own.
The two sides entered Friday night both on 36 points, with only 2.5 per cent separating the Bulldogs in 7th and Essendon in 8th.
Essendon could finish the weekend as low as 13th on the ladder, while the Bulldogs could be 5th should results fall their way. There’s also a 7.8 percentage gap between the two now.
The 7th vs 8th clash set up like an Elimination Final and it was the Bombers who seized the momentum early, particularly out of the middle.
Heading to the first break with a three-goal to one lead, it was Essendon who had a 12-4 assertion in clearances.
It was an area of the ground where Luke Beveridge’s midfielders would pick themselves back up, with Bontempelli proving particularly influential.
The Dogs captain enjoyed a huge second term and went on to win 29 possessions and nine score involvements. Tom Liberatore gathered 13 clearances – a clear game-high – amongst 36 disposals, while the Bulldogs also enjoyed Bailey Smith’s return to form.
Returning from illness the previous week, Smith finished with nine score involvements, six inside 50s and 25 touches.
Despite getting to the first break behind, the Bulldogs stole the lead back prior to half-time and never gave it up again, sealing the deal with a five-goal final term. Essendon had just 14 clearances after quarter time.
Beveridge’s side are now fancied to feature in September in 2023 and won’t play another top eight side until meeting Geelong in Round 24.
As for the Bombers, a final home and away game against Collingwood could prove pivotal to their finals hopes.
FULL SCORE
Essendon: 3.2, 5.3, 6.5, 7.7. (49)
Western Bulldogs: 1.3, 7.5, 9.7, 13.12 (90)
GOALS
Essendon: Wright 3, Langford 2, Guelfi, Merrett,
Western Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan 3, Weightman 3, Bontempelli 2, Naughton, Baker, Scott, West, Treloar
BEST
Essendon: Ridley, Laverde, McGrath, Martin, Laverde
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Liberatore, Smith, Treloar, Ugle-Hagan
INJURIES
Essendon: Ridley (Quad)
Western Bulldogs: N/A
Crowd: 43,634 at Marvel Stadium