Geelong sent Patrick Dangerfield to full-forward at the start of the second half. Mark Baguley was his opponent.

Essendon’s scoring efficiency has been a strength all season and it continued against the Cats. From its first 26 inside 50s, the Dons kicked 11 goals. 

The third quarter became an arm-wrestle. The Cats threatened with four goals, but each time the Dons had the answer kicking five of their own to extend the margin to 40 points.

Geelong kicked the opening four goals of the last term to reduce the margin to 16 points.

Cale Hooker was sent into defence for the Bombers and Orazio Fantasia nailed the steadying goal to push the difference back out to 22 points.

The Cats came again though with the next two goals of the game.  With 8:35 remaining the Dons led by ten points.

That's when Joe Daniher stood up to boot his fifth of the game - a running shot from outside 50.

Geelong peppered the goals late in the match, but their territorial dominance resulted in only five straight points.

With 2:30 remaining, the margin was 11 points.  From the kick-out the Bombers were able to get a fast break and Fantasia made no mistake to secure the win for the Bombers.