Essendon end North Ballarat's season: VFL Round 19.

Essendon have ended North Ballarat’s season with a 39-point win in the final round of the Peter Jackson VFL season at Windy Hill. With both sides needing to win to have any chance of playing finals the Bombers skipped away from the Roosters after an even first half to kick ten goals to six after half time to win 18.17.125 to 13.8.86. For the winners, lively goal-sneak Corey Dell’Olio and Matthew Bate each kicked three, whilst for North Ballarat, Captain Michael Searl bagged a game-high four goals and Sam Scott kicked two, both in the first quarter.

In cloudy but otherwise fine conditions and with little breeze, the first quarter was a beauty producing twelve goals. At one stage North Ballarat slammed on five un-answered goals shooting out to a lead of 18 points before the Bombers were able to square the ledger by quarter time. In the second quarter goals became hard to come by as both sides tightened their defence. Bombers Leroy Jetta and skipper Ben Duscher goaled for Essendon to open up a small break before Searl pegged one back for the Roosters. The Bombers taking a ten-point lead into the main break much to the delight of their loyal fans.

With the game in the balance and a finals spot up for grabs the Bombers grabbed the initiative in the third quarter. With the likes of Jetta, Nathan Lovett-Murray and Nick O'Brien providing plenty of drive, Essendon were able to grab the ascendency and skip clear of the Roosters.

By the final change the Bombers had increased their lead to 25 points and had the Roosters on the ropes. Essendon could smell the finals. They were dominant in the air with their tall timber in David Hille, Tom Bellchambers and Patrick Ambrose providing the Roosters with plenty of headaches. There was more of the same in the last quarter as the Bombers added another five goals. Duscher was like a terrier and kicked a great running goal to set the tone early in the term for the Bombers.

Jetta (30 disposals), Nick O’Brien (30) and Lovett-Murray (29) were influential through the midfield. Hille won the battle with Ben Mabon in the ruck while Zac O’Brien (32), Duscher and Patrick Ambrose were among the Bomber’s best. For North Ballarat there was none better than Searl with his four goals and ten marks. Veteran Myles Sewell (25) with eleven clearances and seven tackles, the consistent Anthony (23), Luke Kiel (22) and Lucas Cook who held Bellchambers to two goals, all tried hard.

Essendon march on into finals in what has been a turbulent year for all at Windy Hill. For North Ballarat their season is over. After a slow start to the year the Roosters found some momentum and almost lifted to make the finals. However they won only one of their last four games, a loss to lowly Coburg in round sixteen proving decisive.