A classy four-quarter performance has seen Essendon overrun a competitive Box Hill outfit on Saturday, running out victors 5.2 (32) to 1.9 (15).
The Bombers kept the Hawks goalless after quarter time in a sturdy defensive display and capped off their good work with some clinical finishing at the other end of the ground.
The Dons opened the scoring through co-captain Mia-Rae Clifford and Liv Manfre, the latter proving to be a dangerous forward option with her strength in the contest and accuracy from the set shot.
After it appeared the Hawks were settling into the contest, an intuitive soccer at goal from Amelia Radford in the second term extended the lead to 10, giving Essendon some breathing room heading into the half.
Radford was a workhorse all day, finishing with 29 disposals and five clearances to continue her stellar season to date.
The Dons’ transitional play through the corridor proved too much for the Hawks to handle after half-time, showcasing their willingness to attack via the quick give and finishing the match +30 in handballs.
The return of Paige Scott to the Essendon line-up injected plenty of flair in the front half, providing an important aerial target with six marks and even hitting the scoreboard with a trademark fend-off and snap in the third term.
The pairing of Sophie van De Heuvel and Danielle Marshall behind the ball became a bane for the Hawks going forward, standing up to combine for 30 disposals and eight marks in arguably their best games of the season so far.
A second major for Manfre put the result to bed in the final quarter, marking the Dons’ fifth win in a row ahead of a crunch clash with ladder leaders Geelong next week.
The Dons and Cats will take to the NEC Hangar to square off at 11am on Saturday, May 20th.
BOX HILL 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.9 (15)
ESSENDON 2.0 3.1 4.2 5.2 (32)
GOALS (ESSENDON):
Manfre 2, Clifford, Radford, Scott
BEST (ESSENDON):
Radford, Wales, van De Heuvel, Marshall, Scott, G. Clarke
Photo credit: Gallivant Photography.
