Essendon VFL have secured their sixth win of the season with a gutsy five-point victory over Sandringham at Windy Hill on Sunday afternoon.

Challenged early, the Bombers conceded the opening the opening three goals in wet, torrid conditions but steadied after quarter-time to work their way into the contest and eventually gain some control.

Peppering away with inside 50’s, the Dons struggled to make their opportunities count on the scoreboard (going into the final term at 4.11 and trailing by a point) but nearly doubled their score with a five-goal blitz in the last quarter.

Led by Nick Bryan out of the ruck (36 hit-outs, 10 clearances), the Dons surged forward to create dangerous opportunities late. Back-to-back goals stemming from strong link-up play saw Jackson Hately and Bailey Scott put the home side in the lead, before Tex Wanganeen showcased his class with a brilliant baulk and checkside goal.

Charging out of the middle, a clever knock-on from Alwyn Davey Jnr paved the way for Tom Toma to extend the lead to 13 points, providing some needed breathing room in an otherwise tense contest.

A late Angus Hastie goal had the Zebras within five points, but the Bombers defended manfully in the final moments to seal the result.

Essendon’s AFL-listed contingent were critical, particularly out of the middle. From Bryan’s supply, Elijah Tsatas accumulated 34 disposals and seven clearances, while the important pairing of Ben Hobbs and Will Setterfield combined for 22 tackles in the sloppy weather.

Out of defence, Nick Hind (27 touches, 10 marks) generated critical run and played a huge hand in Hately’s last-quarter goal, while Archie Roberts (28 disposals, six marks and a clever soccered goal) continued his stellar run of VFL form.

Sam Weideman held up strongly in the back half and provided a sure hand with 23 disposals and seven marks, while Toma and Hately finished among the best from the VFL-listed brigade of Bombers. Key forward Jack Jedwab booted two important goals, including a set shot from on the boundary late in the contest.

With the win, the Bombers remain in touching distance of a finals spot if they can continue their form into the final few games of the season, while other results will need to go their way.

ESSENDON     0.5     2.6     4.11    9.13   (67)
SANDRINGHAM      3.0     3.2     5.6     9.8  (62)

GOALS
Hately 2, Jedwab 2, Wanganeen, Roberts, Toma, Scott, J. Davey

BEST
Hind, Roberts, Setterfield, Bryan, Tsatas, Hately, Hobbs, Toma