PRIZED forward Tom Boyd delivered at both ends of Sunday's VFL elimination final to keep alive Footscray's hopes of back-to-back flags in the state league.
Boyd was playing his third match in the VFL since taking a break from the game after revealing in July he was battling mental health problems.
The Bulldogs held a seven-point buffer at three-quarter time and hung on to defeat Essendon 14.12 (96) to 13.13 (91) and potentially end Brent Stanton's career at the elite level. They will play Port Melbourne in another do-or-die final next week.
The result also postponed Western Bulldogs great Matthew Boyd's retirement at least one more week. He had 24 disposals to be one of the VFL Bulldogs' best players, along with Clay Smith (19, seven inside 50s, two goals).
Bailey Williams (18) performed a shutdown role in the second half on Bombers forward Danny Younan, who didn't add to his two majors after half-time.
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Tom Boyd, the No.1 pick in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, kicked the contest's opening two goals, one from almost 60m out and the other a quality snap on his non-preferred left foot.
But it was the 22-year-old's fourth major – a wonderful finish from 45m out near the boundary – that was most important, putting Footscray 18 points up late in the last term.
Boyd had 13 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency and took four marks in an encouraging display.
He has eight goals in his three VFL matches as he looks to regain confidence for the 2018 AFL season.
"We felt we had a decent lead coming into three-quarter time, but you never know if it's going to be enough," Boyd told Channel Seven.
"The boys all stood up in that last quarter to capitalise … it's just good to be back out playing footy."
Kieran Collins’ day ended in the third quarter after he initially tried to play on from his right ankle injury suffered in the opening term.
The Bombers made a late rally, including Shaun McKernan taking a strong mark and slotting his third goal from 50m, but ran out of time.
Ben Howlett was the most prolific ball-winner of the AFL-listed Essendon footballers with 22 disposals, while hard-running Kobe Mutch impressed with 21.
Kyle Langford starred in the opening half with a team-high 14 possessions playing up forward and in defence, but failed to fire after the main break.
Aaron Francis, who also enjoyed some good moments playing predominantly across half-forward, did not feature in the fourth quarter because of an injury.
Earlier, Hawthorn-listed veteran Brendan Whitecross broke a late deadlock as Box Hill advanced to the VFL preliminary final with an 11.11 (77) to 9.10 (64) win over Port Melbourne.
Fellow AFL Hawks Teia Miles (two), Dallas Willsmore and Oliver Hanrahan were also among the goals.
