Essendon have actually capitalized the battles of fellow AFL premiership hopefuls and enhanced their grip on a top-four area with a 30-point win over West Coast. The Bombers were challenged by the adventurous Eagles however kicked clear late in the match, winning 19.8 (122) to 13.14 (92) at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Jake Stringer booted a season-high 5 objectives and was harming through the midfield, where Jy Caldwell (26 disposals), Sam Durham (29) and Zach Merrett (29) were all prominent. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The third-placed Bombers’ very first win in a month put them 6 points clear inside the leading 4 at the conclusion of the bye rounds, after GWS, Geelong and Port Adelaide all stumbled in round 15. “We comprehend the platform that’s been laid and the chance that emerges,” Essendon coach Brad Scott stated. “In the next month there will be some groups that are basically playing out time and betting the future. “Hopefully we will not become part of that– we’ll have a chance, however that’s all it is. “What we did today and what we performed in the very first half of the year ensures absolutely nothing in the 2nd half, and we’re definitely aware of that.” West Coast, who remain in the bottom 3 after a 4th successive defeat, were within 4 points of Essendon late in the 3rd quarter and had momentum. The Bombers kicked 7 of the last 9 objectives of the match to pull away and seal the crucial outcome. “I didn’t believe we were playing improperly; I believed West Coast were playing well,” Scott stated. “We did some good ideas and defensively weren’t right at the level we wished to be, however I believed for the many part we held up our end of the deal, therefore did they. “I’m pleased with the willpower and the capability to keep combating no matter what feedback the scoreboard is offering you.” Essendon ruckman Sam Draper succeeded on return from injury and Andrew McGrath continued his strong type throughout half-back, while gifted possibility Nate Caddy thrilled Bomber fans. The No. 10 draft choice kicked 2 objectives after he was called into the side as a late replacement for veteran ruck Todd Goldstein (handled). Days after signing a three-year agreement extension, veteran midfielder Elliot Yeo had 20 disposals and 7 clearances in a strong display screen for West Coast. Liam Ryan (19 disposals, 6 clearances) injected some speed into the Eagles’ midfield in the lack of Harley Reid, Dom Sheed and Tim Kelly, while Tom Barrass stood high in defence with game-high tallies of 12 intercepts and 5 objected to marks. Jake Waterman (3), Jack Darling and Jack Petruccelle (2 each) booted several objectives, and Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen kicked 2.4 on return from a long lay-off with a knee injury. “We played the proper way,” West Coast coach Adam Simpson stated. “As frustrating as it was we didn’t win, a few of the important things that we’re chasing we were quite competitive at with a various appearance. “Some things worked truly well and some things didn’t, however the Bombers were simply too great in the end. “We could not get the ball off them at phases … however we had 56 inside-50s, succeeded around the clearances and objected to belongings we held our own. “We had the very same quantity of shots, so there’s some things there we’ll take that we like.”
Essendon state ‘platform laid’ for drought-breaking finals win after brushing West Coast
