It was an agonising loss for Essendon in round 15 as the Bombers conceded three of the last four goals of the match to lose to Werribee by a point at Avalon Airport Oval.

After consecutive defeats against top two sides Casey and Richmond, Essendon was looking to get back on the winner’s list against the Tigers. However, the Bombers were caught on the hop early and then made to fight to the death in an extraordinary second half.

The lead changed hands no fewer than 14 times after the main break with the Bombers securing a 10-point buffer halfway through the last quarter. However, the Tigers were not to be outdone: having kept their side in it with a combined total of nine goals, Andrew Hooper (two) and Josh Porter reclaimed the lead for their side with a minute to go.

Werribee clung onto the narrowest of leads to conclude a shoot-out 15.13 (103) to 15.12 (102). Werribee moved the ball wide into space from the outset, setting up a narrow half time lead after the Bombers were inefficient going forward.

In a freewheeling third quarter, Matt Leuenberger (three), James Stewart (two), Danny Younan and Jayden Laverde piled on goals as Essendon put Werribee under pressure by linking with quick disposal through middle.

However, the Bombers still let themselves down with their accountability in defence as the Tigers kicked five goals to undo much of the good work upfield and leave the match still in the balance, where it stayed for the remainder of the game.  

The Bombers couldn’t hold out key Tigers Josh Porter (five goals) and Andrew Hooper (four). Stewart attracted plenty of the ball with strong marking and kicked two goals. The Bombers welcomed the return of Leuenberger who became an excellent option deep in the forward line and bagged three in a purple patch in the third quarter.

Nino Lazzaro contributed a mature performance, particularly in the last quarter with his instrumental defensive transition and highlight reel goal that, with a little more luck, would have been the match winner.

And, of course, there was the silver lining of the debut of leadership group member Sam Hooper after nearly two years out of the game with knee and ankle injuries.

Coach Dan Jordan said his side knows where it fell down on the day.

“I thought we were poor defensively. We gave away too many goals and didn’t defend the corridor well enough and when they got their ball movement going they sliced us up through there," Jordan said.

“We probably kicked enough goals to win the game but leaked too many goals.

“It’s important that we learn our lessons from it and keep driving the standards that we want to … we’re all in it together, as a playing group and as a coaching group so how we respond will really make the mark on our season.”

Essendon will return to Windy Hill in round 16 to play Collingwood on Saturday from 11am.

ESSENDON            2.5          5.10        12.11     15.12.102
WERRIBEE             3.4          6.7          11.10     15.13.103

GOALS
Essendon - Leuenberger 3, Stewart 3, Laverde 2, Mynott 2, Green, Collins, Younan, Merrett, Lazzaro.
Werribee -  Porter 5, Hooper 4, Sharp 2, Buykx, Munro, Sodomaco, Boyd.

BEST
Stewart, Laverde, Merrett, Leuenberger, Heppell, Mutch.