Essendon travelled down the highway to Geelong to take on the Cats in the final home and away game of the season and fell short by 54 points.

The Bombers struggled from the outset kicking just the one goal in the opening term to Geelong’s four, as the Cats were hungry for victory to keep their finals hopes alive.

Despite the margin being 39 points at the main break, the Bombers came out hard in the third quarter to mount a challenge; however it was quickly erased seeing Geelong push out to a ten goal margin and keep it that way for the final quarter.

Coach Hayden Skipworth said despite ending the season on a sour note, there were plenty of positives to come out of the 2014 season.

“We took a younger list into the season this year.

“I can’t fault their effort and their ability to learn off the coaches and each other.

“We lost four games under ten points and had a draw, so it’s come back to bite us which we thought it would” Skipworth said.

In a sad moment for the football club, captain Ben Duscher will move away from the club in season 2015. A consistent performer since joining the club, Skipworth was quick to praise the outgoing captain.

“I’ve played with him and coached him. He has just been a fantastic servant for the club.

“You couldn’t ask for a better guy. He is a terrific on-field leader and to captain this side for the last three or so years is a great credit to him

“To put out the performances he does each and every week, you couldn’t ask anything else from him,” Skipworth said.

From the old to the new, Jake Long, son of Essendon champion Michael, made his debut for the VFL side last night and didn’t look out of place.

Long worked his way into the game nicely and was clean with the ball in hand and just as good with his defensive pressure and tackling.

“I think he had about seven or eight tackles for the game.

“He didn’t look out of place. We played him forward, tried to push him up onto a wing. He certainly held his own in a tough game,” Skipworth said.

The Bombers finished the season with seven wins for the season and depending on other results throughout the rest of the VFL, Essendon will finish in the range of 10-12th on the ladder.

Essendon: 9.11.(65)

Geelong: 18.11.(119)

Goals: Dell’Olio 3, Hardingham, Kefford, Schultz, Bellchambers, Willis, Long

Best: Hardingham, Dell’Olio, Bellchambers, Heppell, Aylett, Tipungwuti