Essendon have won a spot in another VFL finals series after winning a tight struggle against cross town rivals the Northern Blues at a sun bathed Windy Hill in the final round of the season proper. The Bombers led by just a solitary behind with less than five minutes to go in the match before goals to James Stewart and a ripper from bigman, Sam Draper, sealed the deal for the Dons – 12.6.78 to 9.10.64.
Jordan Houlahan booted a game-high three goals for the Bombers with two each to Stewart and Nino Lazzaro while Jean-Luc Velissaris was the only multiple goalkicker for the Blues with two. The victory sets up a mouth-watering clash in week one of the finals series where the Bombers will take on arch rival Collingwood at North Port Oval on the Sunday.
hard for their win however with the younger Blues showing great signs for next year. The Blues, with 16 listed VFL players in action, were harder at the contest early with great pressure on the Bombers ball carriers. Missed opportunities cost the Blues in the first quarter and despite their endeavor they trailed Essendon by eleven points at the first change.
A scrappy second quarter saw just the two goals between the sides. The consistent Tom Wilson was winning a lot of the footy for the Blues while Josh Hill was doing his best to repel the Bombers across half-back.
At the other end, Michael Hartley, was strong down back for the Bombers and he was receiving fine support from Brandon Zerk-Thatcher who had the job of stopping the dangerous Jesse Palmer.
The Bombers got out to a lead of 23 points in the third quarter however late goals to Jesse Glass-McCasker and Cam O’Shea helped the Blues reduce the margin to just nine points at the final change. It was all the Blues in the first half of the final term, twice they got to within a goal before the Bombers steadied thanks to goals from Lazarro and Houlahan and then finally Stewart and Draper.
It was a gallant effort by the young Blues who have finished the season off well winning four of their last six games and coach Josh Fraser would be proud of his charges. Essendon coach Dan Jordan is confident the Bombers best is good enough to go deep into September. He will be hoping for consistent four quarter efforts.
Better players for Essendon included Hartley in defence, youngster Jordan Ridley, Houlahan with his three goals and Aaron Heppell who worked hard around the packs. For the Blues Hill (19 disposals) worked hard all day across half-back, Nick Graham (33) and skipper Wilson (37) were tireless around the ground and O’Shea (19) and a goal was a fine contributor.
The Northern Blues finished in twelfth position on the ladder with six wins, three games and percentage outside the top eight. Essendon enter their fourth finals series in succession after finishing in eighth place a game and percentage ahead of Footscray and North Melbourne.
