Essendon VFLW has recorded its fifth win of the season, sealing a 27-point victory over Collingwood at Victoria Park on Saturday.
The Bombers dominated across the board, leading from the outset to overrun the league leaders 7.7 (49) to 3.4 (22).
It was Maighan Fogas up forward who marked strongly and finished with the first goal of the afternoon.
The Bombers were able to control the game early on, heaping the pressure on the Magpies’ defenders.
Around the ground it was Georgia Nanscawen and Ruby Svarc finding plenty of the footy.
A late charge from the Magpies saw the margin capped at one point heading into the first break.
The Bombers came out firing in the second, trapping the ball inside their forward half as they looked to build on their first-quarter lead.
Georgia Patrikios stole the show, nailing her first goal in the red and black.
A brilliant offensive effort by Erin Gogerly and Alana Barba sparked the Bombers into life, helping Alex Quigley find the goals for the first time on the day.
The pressure from the Dons around the contest was notable, forcing Collingwood into quick disposals and a number of turnovers.
The Magpies struggled to keep up with a fast-finishing Bombers outfit, who set up a stunning chain of running play to help Monique DeMatteo seal her first major.
Essendon had its chances to extend the lead even further but wasn’t able to make the most of its opportunities inside 50, taking a 22-point lead into the main break.
Two consecutive goals capped off what was a better third term for the Magpies, who were able to wrestle back some momentum.
It was tense, with Collingwood threatening to steal the lead, but Patrikios was able to find the goals for the second time to bring the game right back.
Midfielders Shae Audley and Elizabeth Hosking stood tall under pressure, both repeatedly putting their bodies on the line.
There was plenty of fight from both sides, but it was the visitors who would once again take the lead at the final change.
A goal to Lori Stepnell in the opening of the final term gave the Bombers the ascendancy early in the quarter.
Essendon held its own in the backline against a persistent Magpies outfit, with Cecilia McIntosh, Kendra Heil and Molly Warburton pivotal in the Bombers’ defensive efforts.
DeMatteo capped off a sensational afternoon, kicking a last-minute goal to seal the win for the Dons.
Senior coach Brendan Major was proud of the way his side responded to the challenge.
“You can only play the team you come up against. And they didn’t have a lot of their AFLW stars today, so it was a really good chance to showcase what we could do against a pure VFL team,” Major said.
“We flowed in and out of the game, we weren’t as consistent as we would like to be, but I think when we were on, we played really good football.
“We were really happy with the result. It feels good and it’s always better to get a win.”
Heading into the final game of the home-and-away season, Major wants the group to remain consistent.
“We need to play four quarters of that dominant footy, that’s what we’ve been aiming for since the start of the year.
“We’re getting distracted too easily, we need to show that we can come up against a good side and play four quarters of good footy.”
Essendon VFLW will take on Williamstown at Windy Hill from 12pm on Saturday, August 24.
Essendon 1.2 4.6 5.7 7.7 (49)
Collingwood 1.1 1.2 3.2 3.4 (22)
GOALS
Essendon – Patrikios 2, DeMatteo 2, Fogas, Quigley, Stepnell
Collingwood – Grant 2, Lynch
Victoria Raptis is in the final year of her Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree at RMIT University. As part of their strategic partnership, Essendon Football Club and RMIT University are committed to providing opportunities for students, staff, players and the wider community.
