The Bulldogs beat the Bombers 17.5 (107) to 11.12 (78) at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, but a knee injury to Ryan Griffen may be the biggest news to come from the match.
The Bulldogs, rocked by heavy defeats and a string of injuries to key players over the past two weeks, were determined to simply find some form and avoid any more casualties ahead of next week’s qualifying final with Collingwood.
But Griffen left the field in the opening minutes of the third term and, after a brief visit to the change rooms and consulting team medicos on the bench, did not return to the field - placing him in some doubt for next week.
The result of Saturday night’s match meant little in the scheme of ladder positions, with the Bulldogs already assured of fourth position. Essendon, meanwhile, was simply playing for pride as the curtains came down on what has been a miserable 2010 for those at Windy Hill.
The Bombers were also missing several key players and, as such, the match followed a somewhat predictable script.
While Essendon did boot the first two goals of the match through Patrick Ryder, the Bulldogs then responded and jumped away to what would be a match-winning lead.
The Bulldogs led by 22 points at the first change and the margin was out to five goals at the long break.
By that stage, Bomber Cale Hooker had left the field with a hamstring injury and would not return while the Dogs had numerous options in attack, however Jarrad Grant proved the most problematic for Essendon.
He finished the night with six goals, while Barry Hall - who started the night six goals behind Coleman Medal leader Jack Riewoldt - finished with four.
The Dogs’ midfield won the night, with Daniel Cross (31 possessions, 12 contested) and Matthew Boyd (33, six clearances) the most prolific.
Essendon did enjoy its own good patches.
The Bombers were best served by Leroy Jetta (31 touches) who was lively, while Ben Howlett and Heath Hocking continued to show good signs.
But despite having the run of play at times, turnovers hurt the Dons’ chances while at the other end the Bulldogs were far more efficient when going forward.
By three quarter time it was 35 points the margin, and despite the fizz going out of the contest the Bombers kept battling to outscore their opposition in the final term. However they lacked the class to really trouble the Dogs.
Western Bulldogs 6.2 11.4 15.5 17.5 (107)
Essendon 2.4 6.4 9.6 11.12 (78)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Grant 6, Hall 4, Eagleton 3, Giansiracusa 2, Moles 2
Essendon: Colyer 2, Hocking 2, Ryder 2, Hille, Howlett, Marigliani, Prismall, Slattery
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Grant, Cross, Murphy, Boyd, Harbrow, Giansiracusa, Ward
Essendon: Jetta, Howlett, Myers, Hocking, Hille
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Griffen (knee)
Essendon: Hooker (hamstring), Lonergan (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Schmitt, Armstrong, Mollison
Official crowd: 26,776 at Etihad Stadium
