Essendon VFL have capped off a much-improved 2024 campaign with a 38-point win over Coburg at Piranha Park on Sunday afternoon.

The 16.15 (111) to 11.7 (73) result solidified the Bombers' record at an even 9-9 for the season, with the side winning six of its final seven games in an impressive run home. Finishing narrowly behind Frankston and Richmond in the race for the wildcard finals spots, Essendon's total of 36 premiership points is their highest in a season since 2019, emphasising their development this year.

Led by a stellar five-goal effort from draft prospect Jobe Shanahan and an industrious 41-disposal performance from Elijah Tsatas in the middle, the Dons got out of the gate early to establish a strong lead, eventually bouncing back from a lacklustre second term to put the foot down in the second half.

Driving his legs throughout the contest and generating the attack, Tsatas finished with 13 score involvements and 19 contested possessions to conclude a strong campaign at VFL level from the former No.5 draft pick.

Aided willingly by skipper Xavier O'Neill (30 disposals) and Will Setterfield (27 disposals), the Dons' midfield brigade got on top comfortably with Peter Wright (37 hit-outs, 15 touches, two goals) shouldering most of the rucking duties.

There were good stories in the build-up for the Dons as JHA prospects Jayden Nguyen and Noah Caracella (son of Senior Coach Blake) each made their VFL debuts. Nguyen finished with 16 disposals and a cracking goal from outside 50, whilst Caracella worked hard around the ground and tallied 11 touches in his first taste at the level.

The run-and-carry game of Nick Hind (32 touches) and mid-season pick Saad El-Hawli (27 touches) again provided a boost for the Bombers in transition, while vice-skipper Jackson Hately also stood up with 27 touches and seven tackles. Finishing with three behinds, he'll feel unlucky not to have capped off a great day with more scoreboard impact.

Pushing Luamon Lual forward for the final term, the first-year Bomber finally opened his account in red and black by snaring two goals in the space of 10 minutes, swarmed by thrilled teammates in the aftermath.

The Dons will take plenty of confidence heading into this off-season thanks to their stellar form in the second half of the season, where they established themselves as one of the most competitive sides in the competition.

COBURG                  2.2    6.4    7.6   11.7 (73)
ESSENDON              6.3    7.8    11.10    16.15 (111)

GOALS
Shanahan 5, Wright 2, Lual 2, Eckersley 2, Tsatas, Smartt, Setterfield, Nyko, Nguyen

BEST
Tsatas, Shanahan, O'Neill, Setterfield, Hately, El-Hawli, Hind, Wright