Bombers edge closer to top eight as Blues get the shakes.

Essendon have kept their finals hopes alive and at the same time made for nervous times for the Northern Blues chances after inflicting their third consecutive defeat in round thirteen of the Peter Jackson VFL season at Windy Hill last Sunday. The Bombers were never troubled from the outset and ran away with the game in the last quarter kicking seven goals to one to win by 69 points, 18.10.118 to 6.13.49. Star youngster Joe Daniher and Corey Dell'Olio both kicked four goals for the winners, while for the Blues Troy Menzel snared three, all in the second half. It was the first term however which set up the Bombers victory.    

They kicked five goals and held the Blues goalless. The signs looked ominous early as Daniher bagged a couple and Leroy Jetta was finding plenty of space through the middle. Essendon went to the first break leading by twenty-seven points but the Blue's worries didn't stop there. They lost key bigman Shaun Hampson to a game ending injury just before quarter-time and finding avenues to goal became a lot more difficult.

Essendon's defence was standing firm and their run off half-back was causing headaches for the visitors. Through the midfield Jetta, Nathan Lovett-Murray and Ben Duscher were instrumental in creating opportunities for their forwards. Blues defenders Matthew Watson and Sam Rowe had their hands full with Scott Gumbleton and Daniher respectively.The lead at half-time was 35 points and Blue's coach Luke Webster had plenty of concerns as it appeared his side was losing their grip on a spot in the top eight.

Hayden Skipworth's men however were he'll bent on setting themselves up for tilt at playing finals.In the third term the Northern Blues were able to match the Bombers on the scoreboard. Menzel scoring twice from in close as the margin hovered around the six goal mark. Lachlan Dalgleish and the tattooed Hal Hunter both goaled for the Bombers from deep in either pocket at the Napier street end to get the home crowd on their feet. At the final change the difference was 37 points. Any chance of a Blues comeback was quickly extinguished when Dell 'Olio goaled followed by two more from Lovett-Murray.

The Essendon defense had been stingy conceding just one goal in the term and six for the game. Matthew Firman, Kyle Hardingham and Nick O'Brien were among the Bombers best whilst for the Blues Nick Duigan, Marcus Davies and Nick Graham battled hard. The Bomber faithful can be optimistic about finals footy with their team within a game of the top eight and three games left at home. Their next match away to the Casey Scorpions is crucial to their chances. For the Northern Blues they must find a way stop the downhill slide. They remain in the eight on percentage only and face another difficult assignment next round when they meet Box Hill away.