Essendon had won its previous three games against the Bulldogs by an average of 63 points, and early on it appeared things might get even uglier this time. The Bombers piled on the opening six goals to lead by 37 points late in the first term, before the contest took on a dramatically different complexion. The rank outsiders rattled on six of the next seven goals to slash the deficit to just 10 points, with first-year midfielder Nathan Hrovat and forwards Liam Jones and Jarrad Grant among the prominent Dogs. The margin twice blew back out to four goals but the underdogs simply wouldn’t go away. The margin flattered the Bombers.

 

Twelve minutes into the last quarter, with the Bulldogs trailing by just 12 points and pressing, a controversial decision cost the Dogs a crucial goal. Bombers midfielder Brendon Goddard was tackled at centre half-back by Tom Liberatore and the ball spilled free to the impressive Hrovat, who drilled a goal that would have brought the Dogs back within one kick for the first time since the opening minutes of the match. Bulldogs fans were filthy when umpire Robert Findlay brought the ball back to Tom Liberatore for a holding the ball free against Goddard. Seemingly inexplicably, Findlay hadn’t paid the advantage rule.

 

Jason Winderlich continues to show his importance to the Bombers' line-up and one freakish act against the Dogs highlighted his enormous value. With his side just 16 points clear midway through the third term, Winderlich roved a pack deep in the forward pocket, shrugged off a tackle from Brett Goodes and slotted a seemingly impossible goal. While on the boundary about 20 metres out, Winderlich kicked an end-over-end punt that almost landed on the goal line before bouncing through. It was an equal personal-best fourth major and easily the goal of the day.

 

During the Bombers' opening blitz, Jake Melksham kicked a brilliant goal from the boundary, but the question was whether he had taken the ball out of play beforehand. Melksham had spilled an easy chest mark, but gathered the ground ball and, while in the act of kicking, appeared to carry the ball over the line right in front of the boundary umpire. The expected whistle never came and Melksham took full advantage, caressing a perfect drop-punt from a tight angle 40 metres out. He later nailed the sealer with a superb snap.

 

In the absence of injured captain Jobe Watson, Essendon elevated Brenton Stanton to the role of stand-in skipper. It was a deserving reward for the hard-running midfielder, who was much maligned, even among Bomber fans, until recent times. The Dons had won just three of their previous 10 games without Watson, and on various occasions another loss appeared possible. But Stanton improved the Bombers' Jobe-less record by leading his side to a hard-fought victory. It was the first time since 2004 that Essendon has won 12 games in a season.