Essendon VFLW has returned from the COVID-19 lockdown with a 21-point win over Williamstown at Downer Oval on Saturday to further cement its spot in the top six and a consequent finals berth.

The Bombers controlled the game from the opening bounce and kept the home side goalless in the second half to record a 4.11 (35) to 2.2 (14) victory in their penultimate game of the season, staying in fifth position and a game clear in the top six with a healthy percentage.

The energy was high early as both teams embraced the chance to be back playing, but the Bombers’ midfield, led by Courtney Ugle and Alana Barba, quickly took control.

Bombers forward Mia-Rae Clifford was the first to hit the board, but the Seagulls answered straight away, keeping the pressure on Essendon.

Cecilia McIntosh was lively across the backline, cutting off the Seagulls’ forward entries and rebounding the ball back into the Bombers’ attacking 50, but neither side managed to break away on the scoreboard.

The Bombers’ intensity continued into the second term with Zali Friswell rewarded for a strong tackle with a set shot directly in front of goals.

Friswell converted to extend the Bombers’ lead, but like the first quarter, the Seagulls responded quickly and continued to fight despite the Bombers controlling the play.

Essendon’s inaccuracy in front of goal allowed the home side to stay within five points heading into the main break.

Ruby Svarc used her speed to evade multiple Williamstown defenders and converted on the run to extend the Bombers’ lead early in the third quarter.

Eloise Ashley-Cooper stood strong in midfield and fought hard at contests to get the ball to Jessie Davies and Svarc on the wing, providing Essendon with multiple forward entries.

As the wind picked up, it became more challenging to hit the scoreboard, but Clifford managed to snap the ball through for her second major to seal a 21-point win.

Rebounding from the break

After a four-week break due to the COVID-19 lockdown, head coach Brendan Major said his side struggled early to adjust to being back on the field, but was happy with his side’s overall performance.  

“It’s good to be back. I think that we played some really good football and got it out to space and played the way we wanted to," Major said.

“But we were a bit rusty early and I think the skill errors were probably the thing that let us down the most.”

Major said the Bombers’ struggles on the scoreboard were influenced by the lack of football the side had played over the past month.

“We got some really good looks inside the forward 50 but didn’t convert the way we wanted to,” he said.

“4.11 is probably reflective of the big break we just had.”

Midfielders lead the way

A best-on-ground performance from Alana Barba, who rotated between the midfield and forward lines, helped the Bombers control Williamstown’s physical presence.

Major was impressed by how his midfielders fought hard at contests, and despite being undersized, continued to tackle hard and apply pressure to their opponents.

“We were outsized pretty much all the way across the ground, not in height but physical size, but our players just cracked in,” he said.

“Players like ‘Millzy’ (Emilia Yassir), ‘Barbs’ (Alana Barba) and ‘Coops’ (Eloise Ashley-Cooper) and ‘Ugez’ (Courtney Ugle) especially, they cracked in and did what they needed to get it done.”

The home stretch

With one game remaining in the VFLW season, the Bombers will look to stay in the top six and qualify for a maiden finals series when they take on Darebin next weekend.

But the Bombers aren’t looking too far ahead, with their focus remaining on their final home and away match.

Coming off the break, Major said the Bombers would go back to basics to ensure their on-field skills are clean and sharp.

“It’s just the basic skill fundamentals,” Major said.

“We are shaping up the way we want to, we’re giving ourselves a good look (at goals) but we’re just not executing so that’s what we’re working on.”

The VFLW Bombers will take on Darebin at Bill Lawry Oval in their final home and away match at 12pm on Saturday.

WILLIAMSTOWN 1.1 2.1 2.1 2.2 (14)
ESSENDON 1.3 2.6 3.9 4.11 (35)

Goals: Clifford 2, Friswell, Svarc

Best: Barba, Ugle, Davies, McIntosh, Ashley-Cooper, Svarc