Essendon’s VFL season is over after a six goal to one final term from Footscray handed them a 19-point win in Sunday’s semi final at North Port Oval.  

In front of a huge crowd, the Bombers led by 18 points at three quarter time but were unable to stop the Bulldogs momentum in the final term.

Essendon trailed by 13 points at quarter time and five points at the main break, before taking the lead early in the third quarter.

The Bombers dominated possession in the third term with the help of a challenging breeze, but failed to make the most of 20 inside 50’s to five, kicking four goals seven to the Bulldogs one goal.

A free kick to Sam Michael ensured the Bombers hit the lead, with a long range goal from Will Hams pushing the lead out to double figures and bringing the crowd to life.

Shaun Edwards was having a big impact on the contest and stamped that with a long running goal after receiving a handball through the middle of the ground.

Aaron Francis was providing plenty of excitement for the Essendon faithful and when he marked strongly and converted the Bombers looked full of confidence.

The three goal buffer was never going to be enough with the Bulldogs pegging back the margin early in the fourth term.

A goal from Nick Kommer soon after seemed to settle the Bombers briefly, but the Bulldogs suffocated the Bombers run and slammed on five goals straight to secure their spot in next weekend’s preliminary final.

Will Hams was outstanding with 22 touches, four marks, seven tackles and six inside 50’s as well as a goal.  Shaun Edwards was constantly in the action with 26 disposals, four marks, four tackles, five inside 50’s and one rebound 50.

Aaron Heppell’s consistent season continued with 22 touches, eight tackles, six inside 50’s and one rebound 50.

James Polkinghorne collected 21 disposals and kicked a goal, while the captain Daniel Coghlan led by example with 20 touches.

Josh Freezer was a rock in the defensive half taking 10 marks from his 15 possessions while Jack Langford had nine marks from 13 touches and countless timely spoils.

Aaron Francis and Nick Kommer were the only multiple goal kickers with two each from 13 and 12 touches respectively.

The players, who have fought valiantly all season, were visibly upset after the game.

Bombers coach Matthew Egan said his side didn’t make the most of their momentum.

“We did so much right for so much of the game. The Bulldogs were three goals down and rolled the dice in the last quarter and it paid off for them,” Egan said.

“They were really efficient and got us on the outside and we just couldn’t slow them down.

“We didn’t make the most of our chances when we had them. In the third quarter we won inside 50’s by 15 and we should have scored more.

“When you have the momentum in stages of games you really have to make the most of it.”

Egan said he wasn’t surprised to see the Bulldogs take so many risks to win the game in the final quarter.

“That’s how they usually play the game,” he said.

“We were able to slow them down for three quarters and in the last quarter they held their width really well and took a few risks and it hurt us, we couldn’t restrict them.”

Despite the loss, Egan said he was incredibly proud of the group.

“I could barely talk to them at the end because you know how upset they are and how much they have put in to the last four weeks in particular,” Egan said.

“To not get the result you could see that they were all just devastated. They weren’t ready to finish, we had a real belief they we could keep going and do some more damage as the year went on but that’s footy.

“Now they have to learn how to deal with it and how to use their disappointment and put it into their pre-season and every time they come to train.”