PETER Wright has booted seven goals to lead Essendon to a stunning 13-point upset of the Western Bulldogs and breathe life into the Bombers’ AFL finals hopes.
The Bombers overcame a slow start to take the lead in the second term and held their nerve late to prevail 15.7 (97) to 12.12 (84) for their most impressive win of the season.
Essendon remains in the cluster of teams sitting just outside the top eight with games against Gold Coast and Collingwood to come, while Melbourne can leapfrog the Dogs into top spot if they beat West Coast on Monday.
The Bulldogs will also sweat on a knee injury to Josh Bruce, who limped off late.
Wright, who joined Essendon from Gold Coast for a future fourth-round draft pick last year, had kicked 18 goals in his previous 17 games – and never more than five in a game.
But the big man was commanding all day in attack, while Sam Draper (39 hitouts) had the better of Tim English in the ruck to allow Zach Merrett (30 disposals) and Darcy Parish (28 touches) to seize control.
Bulldogs stars Marcus Bontempelli (34 disposals, 10 inside-50s) and Jack Macrae (38 disposals, 10 clearances) were superb in the midfield – and got on top early in the game.
Bruce drew first blood in his 150th AFL game, while Bulldogs veteran Easton Wood delivered an early highlight when he casually sidestepped Merrett and goaled.
But the Bulldogs didn’t get enough bang for their buck and led by just 13 points at quarter-time.
Essendon bounced back around the stoppages in the second quarter and made it count on the scoreboard, booting six goals to the Bulldogs’ two.
Late back-to-back goals from Wright – who had three for the term – put the Bombers in front at the main break.
The third quarter proved an arm-wrestle.
Bruce and Tim English smacked golden opportunities into the post and Parish’s spectacular snap ensured Essendon led by 11 at the final change.
The Bulldogs closed to within a goal in the final term before Alec Waterman goaled, then Wright snared back-to-back majors from outside 50 to extend Essendon’s lead to 24 points.
Bruce and Bontempelli gave the Bulldogs some late hope, but the Bombers held their nerve.
(C) AAP 2021
ESSENDON 1.2 7.2 11.4 15.7 (97)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.3 6.5 8.11 12.12 (84)
Goals: Essendon: P Wright 7 A Francis 2 A McDonald-Tipungwuti A Waterman D Parish D Smith M Guelfi S Draper. Western Bulldogs: J Bruce 3 A Naughton A Treloar E Wood J Johannissen J Ugle-Hagan M Bontempelli T Duryea T English T Liberatore.
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Brett Rosebury, Craig Fleer.
Venue: Marvel Stadium.
