THE Western Bulldogs are back on the winners list with a 33-point defeat of Essendon at Docklands.

The Bulldogs won 15.13 (103) to 11.4 (70) after leading by 19 at three-quarter time.

A six-goal third quarter set the up the win for the Bulldogs, who trailed for much of the first half.

Mitch Hahn was the star up forward for the victors, finishing with five goals, three of which came in the third term.

It was a fast-paced but low scoring game for much of the first half, with the ball zinging from one end to the other with little result. The second half got the scoreboard ticking over a little more, with 18 different goal scorers from the two teams.

But it was clear the second half was to be a different story when Bulldog Scott Welsh put through a goal in the opening minute.

The Essendon backline was much taller than the Bulldogs’ forwards but their midfield couldn’t take advantage of it with some poor disposal inside 50.

Up the other end, Brian Lake and Dale Morris cut off just about every Essendon attack, while tall Bombers Matthew Lloyd (two goals) and Scott Lucas (none) had minimal impact.

Lake was his side’s best player. He stuck with Lloyd at every lead and also dropped back in the hole when needed.
Daniel Cross was superb out of the middle for the Bulldogs, gathering 28 touches and kicking a late goal as well as keeping the dangerous Jobe Watson quiet. Adam Cooney (28 disposals) and Matthew Boyd (29) also got plenty of the ball.

Brad Johnson finished with 30 touches but most of them were away from goal. He did have three shots at the goals but all three were wayward.

Ben Hudson and Will Minson combined well in the ruck against Paddy Ryder who had to shoulder the load by himself.
The Bulldogs were slow to get going, with the Bombers booting the first two goals of the game. The Dogs hit back with two of their own from free kicks to Robert Murphy and Adam Cooney.

Shaun Higgins had an impact every time he went near the ball and kicked a crucial goal late in the third term after Andrew Welsh gave away the free kick. Higgins’ goal gave his side a 19-point lead and they never looked back.

The Bulldogs carried their third-quarter momentum over in to the final term. The Bombers tried valiantly but every goal was met with an instant Bulldogs response.

The Dogs face their biggest test of the year when they take on the top of the table St Kilda next week.


Essendon 3.1 6.2 8.2 11.4 (70)
Western Bulldogs 3.5 4.6  10.9 15.13 (103)

GOALS
Essendon: Lloyd 2, Hocking, Prismall, Reimers, Winderlich, Davey, Stanton, Ryder, Lonergan, Hurley.
Western Bulldogs: Hahn 5, Welsh 3, Higgins 2, Murphy, Cooney, Hill, Minson, Cross
.
BEST
Essendon:  Lovett, Prismall, Ryder, Welsh, Stanton, Dempsey.
Western Bulldogs: Lake, Higgins, Hahn, Johnson, Cross, Boyd.

INJURIES
Essendon: Reimers (ankle)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Jeffery, McLaren, Chamberlain

Official crowd: 47,120 at Docklands


The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs.


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