Werribee have put a dent in Essendon's top four hopes while improving their own with a 28-point win over the Bombers at Windy Hill in round 17 of the Peter Jackson VFL. In a crucial clash for both sides Werribee burst the match open in the second quarter booting seven goals to two and despite the loss of Scott Sherlock and Brayden Norris to injuries, went onto win 15.13.103 to 11.9.75.

Majak Daw booted three for the winners, all in the second term, Dylan Reid, Eric Wallace, Josh Porter and Matthew Munro all kicked two while for the Bombers, Kyle Hardingham kicked three. Positions in the top eight are up for grabs and both sides started the contest with the intensity required for finals footy - fast paced and hard at the football.

Collingwood have continued their unbeaten run at Victoria Park with 23-point win over fellow finals contender the Casey Scorpions in round 15 of Peter Jackson VFL. Injury plagued Ben Reid played a full game booting three goals, while former Hawk, Clinton Young, sparked the Pies with two third-quarter goals as they kicked clear to win 12.11.83 to 9.6.60.

The win lifts Collingwood into fifth place, level with Essendon in fourth. with only percentage separating the pair. It was a hard fought win by the Pies who were missing key players in Patrick Karnezis, Brenden Abbott and Michael Still, with all three having been major goalkickers for the team this season.

Footscray have replaced Essendon in the Peter Jackson VFL top four after accounting for the Bombers by 22 points in round 16 at the VU Whitten Oval. In a tight contest played in blustery conditions the Bulldogs responded after a slow start to wear down the Bombers winning 11.10.76 to 7.12.54.

High profile forward Tom Boyd (above) booted three goals including two into the wind in the third quarter when the Bulldogs managed to give the Bombers the slip. Lin Jong (26 disposals) and Jordan Kelly (20) worked hard through the midfield while Jordan Russell (34) and Roarke Smith (21) in defence cleaned up many of the Essendon attacks.

Essendon remain among a cluster of sides pushing for a top four position after holding out North Ballarat at Windy Hill in round fourteen of Peter Jackson VFL. The Bombers were in control early and with much talked about ruckman, Jonathon Giles, dominating around the ground and Kyle Hardingham, four goals, a focus up forward, the home side were able to keep the Roosters at arm’s length winning 15.5.95 to 11.7.73.

The game stopped briefly in the first quarter when Rooster's captain, Myles Sewell, asked umpires for a head count (above), believing the Bombers had an extra man on the field during a blood-rule change involving ruckman Giles. Umpires quickly gathered both sides in the middle of the ground and conducted the count before awarding Essendon a free kick against the Roosters for requesting the count.