Essendon has shaken off a serious case of the yips to record a 13-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, its first win over the Giants since 2019.

It was a horror day in front of goal – under the Marvel Stadium roof – for the Bombers, sitting on 6.19 during the third term before straightening up in the last to push out to the 11.22 (88) to 11.9 (75) victory.

08:06

Rd 4 | Match highlights

The Bombers and Giants clash in round four.

BOMBERS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats

00:25

Team Song: Essendon

Watch the Bombers celebrate their round four win

The home side were dominating around the contest early – Tom Green playing an impressive lone hand for the Giants with eight contested possessions in the first term alone (17 for the match) – and the Bombers were able to make more of their clearances.

Essendon forward Sam Weideman's day finished early in the second quarter with concussion after his head was collected by Nick Haynes' hip, as the Giant completed a leaping spoil.

00:50

Rd 4 | Dons' day done with concussion

Sam Weideman has been subbed out with concussion following this incident early in the second term.

It meant Kyle Langford was swung into attack, with Dyson Heppell sent to defence. The former skipper had been bumped out of the 22 as a late change, with ruck Andrew Phillips brought in to stretch the Giants' backline.

00:38

Rd 4 | Martin gives Dons much-needed major

Nic Martin delivers this exceptional finish to alleviate our goal kicking woes and gives us the lead.

The comedy of errors in the second term was best encapsulated by Mason Redman's brainfade deep in defensive 50, attempting a quick handball without pushing back from the mark, which Callan Ward reached around (without moving his feet) to intercept and kick a goal.

Substitute mind games
Essendon made an interesting late change, pushing Heppell out of the 22 in order to recall Phillips. The ruck took the first bounce, with Sam Draper consequently starting in attack, and while Weideman was on the field (pre-injury), the Bombers had a distinct height advantage around the field. Phillips and Draper combined for 41 hitouts, 11 marks and a goal.

Inside 50s the difference
Statistically, it was a fairly even game across disposals and clearances, but Essendon recorded 10 more inside-50s for the match. The Bombers also had the edge in contested possessions (19 ahead), with six players hitting double figures, compared to three Giants.

00:59

Rd 4 | Stringer lights up Marvel with outrageous barrel

Jake Stringer brought the house down with this incredible torpedo goal from well beyond the arc.

The Package delivers … a running torp goal?
Stringer had threatened all match, but like many of his teammates had struggled in front of goal. That was until the fourth term, when he unleashed with two quick goals. The second was an astonishing running torp from outside 50, which produced such a crescendo-d bellow from the crowd as it travelled through the air, seemingly in slow-motion, it nearly took the roof off.

ESSENDON                                 2.8     3.13    8.19    11.22   (88)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     4.0     6.5      9.7     11.9     (75)

GOALS
Essendon: Stringer 4, Martin 2, Langford, Merrett, Draper, Redman, Perkins
Greater Western Sydney: Himmelberg 3, Ward 2, Kelly 2, Greene 2, Daniels, Coniglio

BEST
Essendon: Parish, Merrett, Draper, Stringer, Redman, Kelly
Greater Western Sydney: Green, Kelly, Ward, Haynes, Whitfield

INJURIES
Essendon: Weideman (concussion)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Dyson Heppell (replaced Weideman in the second quarter)
Greater Western Sydney: Cooper Hamilton (replaced Conor Stone at three-quarter time)

Crowd: 28,815 at Marvel Stadium