Not much went the Bombers way after quarter time against the Blues, but Scott Lucas says the side can take confidence from the way they were able to ‘dominate’ the final stages of the game.

After a five goal opening quarter from the Bombers, the Blues controlled the middle stages.

Between the 20 minute mark of the first quarter and the 17 minute mark of the third quarter, the Bombers had a run of 11 consecutive behinds. 

With ten minutes remaining they held a 12 point lead before Essendon kicked the final three goals of the match. 

“Once you don’t make the most of your opportunities and throughout the day goal kicking was a challenge for the Essendon boys … Carlton were around just close enough and they were able to work their way back into the game and get on top,” Lucas said. 

“To see the Essendon boys in the last 15 minutes work their way back into the game and really dominate, not quite get the results they deserved on the scoreboard, but to walk away with a win in those circumstances was still very, very important.

“There are a few areas to work on but overall you take the four points this time of the year and move on to Adelaide.”

Cale Hooker was a key figure in the final stages of the game. He took five last quarter marks and kicked the goal that put the Dons in front.

“That is a small part of what he did, his work rate and the way he presented I thought was incredibly important,” Lucas said.

“Joey kicked three goals and played a very good game because he had a quality opponent on him.

“Therefore Cale who had a good match-up was able to exploit that, take plenty of inside 50 marks and shoot for goal.

“He missed three or four but he nailed the one he needed to which contributed to the win in the end.”

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was another key contributor.

He kicked the sealer with a minute left in the match and finished the game with 16 disposals (nine contested), five tackles, three inside 50s and three goals.

“He had a huge impact on the game that goes beyond kicks, marks and handballs,” Lucas said.

“He impacts in so many different ways. We saw him run through the middle of the ground and kick it with great touch to (Josh) Green.

“We saw the one arm tackle on the wing to win the free kick. 

“We saw the great goals he kicked, we saw the intercepts marks in the backline.

“Wherever he went, because he’s such a good ball user, with ball in hand he was able to make good decisions that helped us score.”