Essendon VFL has suffered its third defeat of the season, going down to fellow top-four side Williamstown by three goals in a close contest.
The home side was off to a fast start at Downer Oval on Saturday, booting the first three majors of the match to eventually overrun the Bombers 12.12 (84) to 15.12 (102).
Essendon’s back six, led by Michael Hartley (21 disposals, five marks, eight tackles, two goals), were under the pump early, doing their best to repel the quick and hot footy coming in.
The Seagulls controlled the first 15 minutes of the quarter, before the Dons were able to work themselves into the game via a Josh Begley major 19 minutes in.
This was followed by a goal from vice-captain Heath Hocking (20 disposals, 13 tackles, four marks, two goals) just three minutes later, which brought the margin back to seven points.
Williamstown responded by slotting another to push its lead out again, but a long bomb from Hartley and a curving ball from Jordan Houlahan squared the ledger late.
The home side put its noses in front with a behind on the quarter-time siren, in what was a free-flowing opening term.
Essendon was keen to move the ball quickly through the corridor in the second, but some costly kicks and decisions led to Williamstown turning the ball over.
Had the Seagulls been more accurate in front of goal, they would have had a much larger advantage.
But luckily for Essendon’s sake, the margin stayed under 10 points, and was still gettable.
Houlahan’s high-flying mark and attempt from outside 50 found Jordan Ridley, who kicked truly to make it a three-point ball game again.
Both sides traded the next seven goals, which took them to the halfway mark of the third.
Williamstown eventually broke the trend by kicking three in a row, but it was Essendon which ended up with the last five scoring shots in the third.
Unfortunately, the Dons couldn’t capitalise from them, kicking just 1.4 heading into the final term.
A captain’s goal from Aaron Heppell (16 disposals, five tackles) brought Essendon’s chase back down to seven points as a comeback looked on the cards.
But despite getting as close as five points, Williamstown soon regained control and displayed its finishing class to run out a 18-point winner.
Ben Fennell (18 disposals, eight marks) was solid, while Trent Mynott (17 disposals, four tackles), vice-captain Danny Younan (15 disposals, six tackles), and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (14 disposals, four marks) competed hard all day.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher competed strongly against Williamstown. (Photo: Ben Johnstone)
Senior coach Dan Jordan was impressed by the Dons’ gutsy and brave fightback, considering there were a few changes to the side.
“We probably didn’t have a lot of the AFL experience that we’ve been fortunate enough to have all year. The exciting thing was that a few of our VFL guys got an opportunity, but having not played for a long time it can often take a while to adjust,” Jordan said.
“I was really proud of the way the boys fought it out and kept fighting right to the end. Barring a couple of lucky things, we were right in the game and could have pinched it, but Williamstown had a bit more class to finish off.”
Jordan noted there was plenty to learn and take away from the match, as the group prepares to face Sandringham next weekend.
“I think we were a little bit safe with our ball movement, and I thought we weren’t clean early - a couple of those turnovers gave Williamstown goals, so if we had taken that away from them then we might have been ahead on the scoreboard or stayed right in the game.
“I’m confident we can turn things around next week. If we want to be a good side, we need to be able to respond to losses and make sure we can learn from them.”
Essendon VFL will take on Sandringham at Windy Hill from 2pm on Saturday, August 3.
Essendon 4.2 7.4 9.9 12.12 (84)
Williamstown 4.3 8.7 11.10 15.12 (102)
Goals: Hocking, Hartley, Baguley 2, Begley, Houlahan, Ridley, Gown, Heppell, Landt
Disposals: Hartley 21, Hocking 20, Fennell 18, Mynott 17, Heppell 16
Brooke Varney 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.
