Essendon prevailed over the Northern Blues by 14 points in a heart-stopping epic in Round 21 to seal a fourth successive finals berth.
After kicking the first three goals of the third quarter to open up a 23-point lead, Essendon looked set to repeat its dominant second half performance against Footscray from the previous week.
However, the Blues steeled themselves and made the Bombers work to the death for a top-eight position.
The Northern boys dominated the first 15 minutes of the final quarter and drew to within a goal three times only for goals to Nino Lazzaro and Jordan Houlahan to keep Essendon’s nose in front in a pulsating last quarter.
With the baying Windy Hill crowd behind them, the Bombers found a way to push back the relentless Blues. James Stewart took a towering mark deep in the forward pocket to give his side a seven-point break, but it was the incredible goal on the run by ruckman Sam Draper with just over a minute to go that put the icing on the cake.
he siren finally put the brave Blues away as Essendon celebrated making September action via a 12.6 (78) to 9.10 (64) win.
Nick Hind provided tremendous drive when he was able to get the ball outside, with the speedster setting up several goals for his side through his run and carry while collecting one of his own in the third quarter.
Draper fought out a hard battle against towering Blue ruck Angus Milham but his final quarter goal was just reward for a day on which he worked hard to win the ball at contests and then back himself in to run with the ball.
In defence, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher played a crucial role as he spent nearly three quarters on Northern’s Jesse Palmer, who kicked five goals in the round eight clash earlier in the season, keeping him goalless.
2018 has been a rollercoaster for the boys from The Hangar.
Essendon was in third position after its round 12 win over Box Hill but dropped its next six games to fall out of the top eight. Consecutive victories over Footscray and the Blues have ensured that Dan Jordan’s side will play Collingwood in their elimination final at Stannards Stadium next week.
Jordan spoke with pride when he reflected on his charges’ performance after the match.
“It was a pretty fierce contest. They certainly challenged us and we had to be at the top of our game to get the win,” Jordan said.
“They threw everything at us in that last quarter, we just kept backing our boys in.
“Often against the tide, you’ll get some looks at scoring. I thought our defence was terrific in the last quarter.”
Essendon’s attention now turns to the elimination final against the Magpies. Ahead of his first September appearance as senior coach, Jordan says his side knows what will be demanded of them on the big stage.
“We’ll have a look at them this week and prepare. We’re confident that our best is good enough to match it with anyone’s, so it’s just a matter of bringing our best consistently for four quarters.”
ESSENDON 3.1 4.4 8.5 12.6 (78)
NORTHERN BLUES 1.3 2.5 6.8 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Essendon – Houlahan 3, Stewart 2, Lazzaro 2, Hind, Heppell, Draper, Ottavi, Merrett
Northern Blues – Hill, O’Shea, Wilson, Blakey, Graham, Stavrou
BEST
Hartley, Ridley, Houlahan, Heppell, Hind, Clarke
