Fifteen minutes into the last term, slippery conditions and trailing the reigning premiers Footscray by 17 points.

That’s exactly where Essendon VFL found itself on Friday night.

What proceeded in the final 15 stages of the match was stunning.

“I suppose we didn’t really look at the scoreboard,” Elliott Kavanagh said.

Undermanned and against a powerful Footscray outfit that boasted 13 AFL-listed players - as opposed to the Bombers’ five - the odds were stacked against the Dons.

“We became a bit more composed with the ball,” Kavanagh said.

“Even though it was a frantic game, we took a bit more time and care with the ball and got some good shots on goal.”

The forward duo Jacob Thompson and Daniel Willis both put on impressive last-quarter displays, creating manic pressure in attack as well as presenting strongly.

The two finished with five goals between them and it was Thompson who booted the match-winner in the 26^th minute.

“Their pressure all night was really good,” Kavanagh said.

“It’s always good for when the ball comes out high of the forward line and give us an opportunity to turn the ball over - that’s what happened in the last 15 minutes and they got reward for it.”

Kavanagh anticipates the VFL Dons can draw upon the result as they head towards September.

“If we can beat sides above us, it gives us a good shot at the finals series.”