Essendon VFL suffered a 21-point defeat at the hands of GWS on Friday afternoon, despite pushing the top-four side for most of the day at Windy Hill.

The two sides were difficult to separate across the first three quarters, with the margin at each break never extending beyond a goal for the visitors - right from the get-go, the Bombers brought plenty of aggression and put themselves in the hunt, moving the footy far more freely through the corridor than in recent weeks.

In Noah Scott, the VFL Dons have found themselves a crafty forward - the third-gamer built off his three behinds from last week's clash with Box Hill and burst out of the blocks this time around, slotting two goals in a minute on the stroke of quarter-time.

Scott would finish with three goals and 22 disposals for a well-rounded effort in the early stages of his VFL career.

Saad El-Hawli provided plenty of dash along the wings and especially early, with a second-quarter spark seeing his team into a two-goal lead at the halfway mark of the term.

The former mid-season pick kicked truly from the 50 metre arc, before getting on the end of some brilliant work from Solly McKay to snap a second major.

GWS bit back with two quick goals on the verge of the main change, which ultimately told the story of the day - for every major push from the Bombers, the travelling side seemed to have an answer at a better time.

El-Hawli and Lachie Monteath converted again in a crucial run through the third term, setting up the spectacle nicely with a slim four points the difference heading into the last.

Unfortunately, the Dons couldn't hold up their intensity down the stretch. GWS were the more efficient of the two sides late and would end up sealing the deal with a four-goal-to-one quarter.

Jye Menzie was solid again at VFL level, booting a couple of goals from 14 possessions, while Jackson Hately powered much of the Bombers' early form through his workrate in the middle.

Hately's 30 disposals and eight tackles held up as one of his best performances of the season.

Behind the ball, the defensive pairing of Tyler Sellers and Will Hoare continues to pay dividends - the duo combined for 33 disposals and 20 marks patrolling the back half.

The Dons front up again when they take on Footscray at Windy Hill next Saturday.

ESSENDON    4.1   8.2   11.4   12.8  (80)
GIANTS      4.4   8.6   11.8   15.11  (101)

GOALS
Scott 3, El-Hawli 3, Menzie 2, Eckersley, Burmeister, Monteath, Brodie

BEST
Hately, Scott, El-Hawli, Hoare, Sellers, O'Neill, Menzie