Essendon players celebrate a goal during round six, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

ESSENDON has pulled off a sensational 10-point come-from-behind win over Geelong, climbing back into the AFLW top eight in the process.

Left with a sour taste in their mouths after a 20-point loss to Collingwood last round, the Bombers overcame a scoreless first term to win 4.5 (29) to 2.7 (19) against the Cats at Reid Oval on Sunday.

The sixth-round win provided Essendon midfield star Maddy Prespakis with family bragging rights over younger sister Georgie in their second AFLW skirmish.

05:09

AFLW Highlights: Essendon v Geelong

The Bombers and Cats clash in round six of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

Maddy also celebrated her 50th game in style with 33 disposals and six clearances as she arm-wrestled Georgie (26, 10) for dominance in the midfield.

The younger Prespakis, in her 25th game, kicked the game's first goal but was denied by the umpires who ruled - without an AFLW score review system - the ball was touched.

The ever-prolific Chloe Scheer broke through twice to give the Cats a 14-point lead while the hosts were scoreless by quarter-time.

00:38

Scheer delight as Cats open afternoon

Geelong's Chloe Scheer gets creative with this crumbing goal

A desperate Essendon went to work in the second term, leading contested possessions 14 to four for the term and generating three of the first four inside 50s.

With a minute left on the clock and only three behinds on the scoreboard, Amber Clarke snapped the ball towards goal.

As the ball looked sure to spray across the face, it miraculously bounced backward to slot through the posts and give the Bombers a much-needed six points.

00:42

Clarke delivers dagger as Dons look home

Essendon's Amber Clarke kicks a superb goal after a brilliant team passage inside 50

Bombers co-captain Bonnie Toogood cut the margin to one point to kickstart the second half and bring herself within three goals of 50 career majors.

With scores level at three quarter-time, Georgia Nanscawen (24 disposals, six clearances) worked diligently to put the ball back in the hands of the Bombers.

BOMBERS v CATS Full match coverage and stats

Daria Bannister kicked truly to put Essendon in the lead and was backed by another from Clarke to seal the win.

Geelong (4-2) returns home to host 10th-placed Fremantle next round while Essendon (3-3) faces off with eight-placed Richmond.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:38

    Scheer delight as Cats open afternoon

    Geelong's Chloe Scheer gets creative with this crumbing goal

    AFLW
  • 00:28

    Clarke creates some spark with ridiculous boundary goal

    Essendon's Amber Clarke kicks a brilliant major from the boundary after a helpful bounce

    AFLW
  • 00:37

    Bannister gifts Bombers lead after Morrison brain fade

    Daria Bannister receives a 50m penalty and kicks a crucial goal after Nina Morrison's rare error

    AFLW
  • 00:42

    Clarke delivers dagger as Dons look home

    Essendon's Amber Clarke kicks a superb goal after a brilliant team passage inside 50

    AFLW
  • 06:00

    AFLW full post-match, R6: Bombers

    Watch Essendon's press conference after round six's match against Geelong

    AFLW
  • 05:09

    AFLW Highlights: Essendon v Geelong

    The Bombers and Cats clash in round six of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW
  • 07:39

    AFLW full post-match, R6: Cats

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round six's match against Essendon

    AFLW
  • 10:10

    AFLW Mini-Match: Essendon v Geelong

    Extended highlights of the Bombers and Cats clash in round six of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season

    AFLW

ESSENDON      0.0     1.3      2.5     4.5 (29)
GEELONG        2.2      2.3     2.5     2.7 (19)

GOALS
Essendon: Clarke 2, Toogood, Bannister
Geelong: Scheer 2

BEST
Essendon: M. Prespakis, Toogood, Clarke, Nanscawen, Scott
Geelong: G. Prespakis, Am. McDonald, Moloney, Crockett-Grills

LATE CHANGES
Essendon: Jacqui Vogt replaced in selected side by Mia Busch
Geelong: None

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