His opponent may have kicked six goals but Zaine Cordy’s stellar last quarter against the Bombers the weekend may have saved the game, if not the season for the Western Bulldogs.

Cordy out-duelled and out-positioned Essendon forward Joe Daniher at crucial moments during Sunday’s win at Etihad Stadium, a performance that Luke Beveridge labelled ‘match saving’ in his press conference post-match.

“He had some brilliant saves and spoils in that last quarter," Beveridge said.

“When the game was on the line, there were two or three, definitely two, that were match saving, match winning type defensive efforts.  

‘’Just him, going back with the flight, he had to at least get fist on ball or hit body and ball.  They were critical plays, so all credit to Zaine.”

Daniher looked dangerous each time the ball went near him, and if not for Cordy’s efforts late, it could’ve been a very different result; the Bulldogs season left on knife’s edge.

It was the 20-year-old’s ability to “halve contests when we looked dead in the water” was what stood out to Western Bulldogs’ vice-captain Easton Wood.  

“We call them those critical moments. And when we’re at our best everyone across the team steps up in the moment when they need to,” he told the Herald Sun.

“Zaine’s only 192cm I think so he’s giving away a lot of height.  For him to just find a way is fantastic.

“We knew we needed to win and we know we need to continue to win to guarantee our spot in the finals.”

The Dogs travel to Brisbane to face the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.