VFL: Werribee upset Essendons top four plans

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.

The Tigers kicked three of the first four goals before the Bombers hit back slotting the next four to lead by six points at the first change. A tricky wind blowing across the ground made goals a little easier to come by at the Napier street end and the Tigers made the most of it in the second quarter.

Daw marked whatever came his way, Mason Wood was doing the same and the Tigers were able to move the ball quickly into their forward line with skipper Michael Sodomaco providing plenty of dash. Big man Eric Wallace juggled a fine mark that led to a goal 24 minutes in and Daw goaled again soon after to give the visitors a comfortable 27-point lead at half-time.

The Bombers lifted in the third quarter, Elliott Kavanagh shrugged off Tigers defenders to snap a fine goal two minutes in to have their faithful cheering in the stands. David Myers was playing his best game since returning from injury, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Jason Ashby ran the ball out of defence and they received good support from Ben McNiece and Alex Browne.

When Hardingham kicked truly nearing time-on, the margin was back to just fourteen points and thoughts of another come-from-behind-win was in the Bombers minds. The Tigers had other ideas however, snuffing out any Essendon heroics with the first three goals of the final quarter to record their third win in a row.

They will welcome the bye next week nursing several injured players before facing Williamstown away in round nineteen while the Bombers are on the road to Frankston in round eighteen looking to keep their top four hopes alive against the winless Dolphins.

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