Wanganeen-Milera kicks deep into the pocket for Higgins who cops a light touch from Ngyuen as he drops the mark to win a free kick. Higgins duly snaps it through for the first goal (Q1 2:43)
A free kick out of the middle for Essendon sees Goldstein chip it inside 50 for someone to lead and it’s Wright who storms up to mark 40m out. Wright hits back the reply! (Q1 4:15)
Langford dithers on the wing to try and find an option forward of the ball and he kicks a low bouncer that works well for Guelfi. A slick handball chain ends with McMahon! (Q1 8:00)
Unwin takes the ball at a forward stoppage and gives it off to Durham who feints before snapping off to the right. (Q1 9:13)
Laverde blasts it inside 50 and the ball goes to ground. Some manic pressure by Menzie at ground level is rewarded with a free kick in the pocket, which he misses. (Q1 10:56)
Prior kicks an ugly wobbler inside 50 that is straight down the Gullet of Unwin, who wears some contact for his trouble! The first gamer lines it up and knocks back his first goal! (Q1 21:08)
Hill backtracks to Windhager who pumps it inside 50. Dodson roams up to mark on his chest, but his set shot was always going right. (Q1 23:44)
Dodson marks on the wing and then kicks inside 50 where Wood pulls down a nice mark 40m out on the flank. Wood’s kick sticks to the left and is tapped over. (Q1 25:15)
Steele marks in the hole some 40m out from goal on the flank, he steers his set shot to the left and just misses. (Q2 2:24)
A beauty of a slider inside 50 from Roberts is marked by Menzie 30m out from home, but his set shot is off left. (Q2 2:59)
Hall spies Sharman in space down in the pocket and caresses a kick his way, Laverde can’t close him down as he’s done a string, but Sharman marks, and goals easily! (Q2 6:59)
Blakiston kicks it to the pack inside 50, Guelfi can’t hang onto the mark but Lual is front and centre at ground level to volley and dribble it through for a miraculous goal! (Q2 8:44)
Durham shovels it out to Roberts who chips it forward and it’s Menzie who drops in the hole to mark. But once again he misses a gettable set shot. (Q2 12:17)
Boxshall misses a set shot from 45m out on the flank. (Q2 16:15)
Redman roams forward and bombs it inside 50. The ball again comes off hands and again it’s the Bombers who capitalise, this time it’s Langford who gathers and goals! (Q2 16:54)
Langford turns the ball over with a lazy kick that is picked off by Hall. Hall bursts forward, kicks to Sharman, and Sharman goals! (Q2 17:21)
Higgins baits Ngyuen in and fools the umpire to win himself a free kick 35m out from goal, which he curls through! (Q2 17:21)
A couple of shocking kicks each way see the ball enter inside 50 for Essendon through El-Hawli who laces out Guelfi. Guelfi misses his set shot though. (Q2 17:21)
Marshall wheels around and kicks inside 50, where Wood is waiting to leap and mark. Wood slots the goal from 25m out! (Q2 17:21)
Marshall roams in from the side to take a contested mark 35m out from goal, he slots it and the Saints hit the front! (Q3 2:19)
Stocker goes to ground in a contest with Perkins but it’s play on as Perkins marks 40m out. He strides in to kick from 45 and it’s good! (Q3 4:10)
Marshall gets on the end of a mazy run by Wanganeen-Milera to mark 40m out on the flank. He tries for the snap, but misses right. (Q3 9:03)
Durham is held at a forward stoppage and he chips it inside 50 from the free kick. Menzie takes the ball and dishes off to Perkins who snaps and goals! (Q3 11:49)
A Hall set shot from range pings off the post. (Q3 13:49)
It’s chaos at the goalmouth for the Saints as no one can take it cleanly, eventually Boxshall scoops it out on his knees to Wilson who quickly snaps through a goal! (Q3 17:34)
McGrath spanks a shot on goal out of congestion but it fans wide (Q3 19:49)
Two Essendon defenders take each other out of the contest going up against Sharman and it allows Higgins to swoop on the loose ball, snapping through his third! (Q3 24:33)
McMahon leads up in front of the pack to take a nice mark just 15m out from goal. He chips through his second and we’re level again! (Q3 26:33)
Wanganeen-Milera is allowed the freedom to burst out of the centre circle and stream to 55 before unleashing a bomb straight through the big sticks! (Q3 28:08)
A nice effort from Unwin at half forward sees the ball fly towards the square, it goes to ground, and McMahon is best placed to pounce, taking the ball and prodding it through! (Q4 1:16)
Langford marks deep on the flank and spears it to the pocket for Menzie who marks. Fourth time is the charm and this time Menzie gets his goal! (Q4 7:32)
Hobbs takes a shot at goal from 40m out but it glances off the post. (Q4 11:32)
Sinclair takes a shot from 45m out on the run but misses to the left. (Q4 15:13)
Garcia bustles out of a forward stoppage with ball in hand, kicks across his body and bounces one through! But it’s turned over on review. (Q4 17:46)
Wood marks deep in the pocket but the Essendon defence just allows him to swing on around and snap it through with ease! (Q4 23:02)
Garcia gets some space and spies Sharman on the lead which he kicks to. Sharman goes back and notches up his third goal! (Q4 25:03)
Duursma catches Steele in a tackle and kicks inside 50 to Langford who goes back with the flight to take a brave mark. Langford snaps it through and we’re on for a hot finish! (Q4 27:44)
Collard misses a snap from close range. 3 point margin. (Q4 29:47)
It’s absolute chaos as the clock winds down and Essendon surge forward, back kicks, holding the ball calls and the like! Redman has a shot to win it from 55, but misses left. (Final Siren)
