A dramatic final quarter flurry has seen Essendon VFL open their season on the winners list, scraping past Williamstown by 11 points at the NEC Hangar on Saturday.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Bombers, who were nearly left to rue a disappointing seven-goal-to-two third term slump, but the group rallied in another showing of the forward strides their VFL program has taken in the last 12 months. 

The Dons took advantage of the scoring end in the second quarter to establish a handy 17-point lead at the main break, led by a couple of clean finishes up forward from Tyler Sellers, but when the Gulls got their run going in the third, it wasn’t looking good for Cameron Joyce’s men.

Despite some untidy ball use being their undoing going forward, the Bombers remained in the hunt and once they’d steadied defensively, they just needed a spark - Cam Nyko being the one to provide it.

Typically known for his rebound off half back, the youngster drifted forward to cut the Seagulls’ lead to nine points, before making it a one-kick game with an exceptional snap from the pocket just a minute later. 

A couple of important tackles and contested wins for Alwyn Davey Jnr late in the game opened the door for Luamon Lual and Rhys Unwin to extend the lead and put the match to bed in the dying minutes, capping off the close contest on a good note. 

The performance of Lewis Hayes will also generate excitement amongst the Bomber faithful.

The key defender – runner up in last season’s Club VFL best and fairest – looks to have elevated his game again after a big pre-season, finishing the game with 27 touches and 16 marks. 

Despite going down with a knee complaint in the first half, key forward Jared Eckersley suited back up and provided a brave presence in the Bombers’ final-term comeback, taking a few critical contested marks ahead of the ball and slotting one of his own in an inspired effort. 

Essendon had the opportunity to field their entire 2024 draft class (barring Isaac Kako) together on Saturday and they provided some fruitful signs for the future, with Kayle Gerreyn’s three goals up forward one of the major standouts. 

Essendon VFL will look to make it two-from-two when they take on reigning premiers Werribee at 11:05am AEDT next Saturday, once again from the NEC Hangar. 

ESSENDON                 2.2     7.5      9.7      14.10   (94)
WILLIAMSTOWN      2.4     4.6      11.9    12.11  (83)

GOALS
Sellers 3, Nyko 3, Gerreyn 3, Unwin, Peris, Lual, Eckersley, Day-Wicks

BEST
Hayes, O’Neill, Hately, Nyko, Gerreyn, Sellers