It was a see-sawing opening to the game with neither side able to establish dominance over the other.
Essendon had all the play in the opening minutes and kicked the first goal through skipper Matthew Lloyd. But the Bulldogs took advantage of their opportunities with goals to Robert Murphy and Hahn.
Brent Stanton was dangerous for Essendon across half-forward and thoroughly beat a series of opponents.
One of Essendon’s hardest working players out of the midfield was Jason Johnson. While Johnson will not feature in Matthew Knights’ plans for 2009, his experience was a steadying factor in a young Essendon side.
Several Essendon players took the field knowing they would not be at Windy Hill beyond next week but you wouldn’t know it when you looked at Mal Michael’s body work, or Johnson’s attack on the ball.
The Bombers paid the ultimate compliment to the dangerous Murphy by matching him with Adam McPhee in the second term.
Matthew Lloyd worked hard up forward and was one of his side’s best but Essendon needed another tall forward to complement him.
Lloyd looked menacing every time the Bombers pushed forward and he had the strut of a man in form. Unfortunately for the skipper, the ball was in short supply as the Bulldogs midfielders continually got the clearances.
Jobe Watson was used as full forward early on but rolled his ankle while leading out. He hobbled around and his night seemed over but he was back on the ground in the second term.
The Bulldogs surged ahead in the second term, booting six straight to go into half-time with a healthy 28-point lead.
After a poor second term, the Bombers had to take immediate action to stay in the game and when Lloyd goaled in the opening minute of the second half, it seemed the Bombers would not go down without a fight.
But the Bulldogs went on to boot another six goals straight to obliterate Essendon's chances.
One positive sign for Matthew Knights’ team was retiring defender Mal Michael moving forward to boot two rare goals in the second half.
It was an uneventful final quarter, with both sides putting the cue in the rack. Essendon looking to 2009 and beyond and the Dogs preserving themselves for the coming finals series.
The Bombers outscored their opponents Bulldogs in the final term and booted the last four goals of the game. But they were never a chance to recapture the lead as the Bulldogs cruised home to an easy win – their fifth straight against Essendon.
Bulldogs 3.3 10.6 19.8 23.13 (151)
Essendon 3.4 5.8 9.11 15.15 (105)
GOALS
Bulldogs: Hahn 6, Johnson 4, Akermanis 4, Minson 2, Welsh 2, Harbrow, Eagleton, Murphy, Cooney, Boyd
Essendon: Lloyd 4, Michael 2, Stanton 2, McVeigh, Lonergan, Monfries, Lovett-Murray, McPhee, Nash, Dyson
BEST
Bulldogs: Hahn, Cooney, Lake, Minson, Cross, Giansiracusa, Akermanis
Essendon: Stanton, Lloyd, McVeigh, Johnson, Monfries
INJURIES
Bulldogs: Gilbee (flu) replaced in selected side by Everitt, Ray (flu) replaced in selected side by Higgins
Essendon: Welsh (hamstring), Watson (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, McLaren, Hendrie
Official crowd: 37,294 at Telstra Dome
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
