Essendon rookie Tom Jok kicks winning goal in dying seconds to secure VFL preliminary final spot

How about that Bomber fans! Essendon rookie Tom Jok has put you into a VFL preliminary final, after the Bombers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat out at Port Melbourne.

Tom Jok (right) celebrates with teammates after kicking the winning goal. Picture: Getty

Essendon have scraped through to a VFL preliminary final off the boot of rookie listed Bomber Tom Jok, taking out a thrilling semi-final clash at Port Melbourne by three points.

A seesawing last quarter saw the Bombers come out on top of the wayward Tigers with a coast-to-coast goal finished coolly by the 22-year-old in the dying minutes.

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Jok received a handball on the run from fellow Essendon listed player Jordan Houlahan, with the utility passing on to teammate Heath Hocking running back to the square. Fortunately, the kick fell in front of Hocking and bounced through to give them the lead.

Jokky sends @essendonvfl to a prelim!

🎥: @7VFL pic.twitter.com/QPPEB0gD02

— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) September 8, 2019

“I was trying to hit him up, I used him as a reference,” Jok said with a smile post-game.

I actually did try to hit him up.”

“I feel like I owed my teammates after the initial turnover, so it’s good to redeem myself.”

Essendon held on for the remaining minutes to secure a date with Williamstown next weekend.

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Essendon’s VFL side celebrate their nailbiting win. Picture: Getty Images.

The Bombers were staring down the barrel of their second straight loss in a row after leading at three-quarter time, with Werribee booting the opening two goals of the quarter to edge in front against the breeze.

But the Tigers were left to rue missed opportunities, scoring five straight behinds from that point on.

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Former Sun and Docker Michael Barlow led all comers in trying conditions — tallying 30 disposals, six inside 50s and five tackles for the losing side — while teammate Jake Riccardi added three goals.

ESSENDON

2.2 5.2 7.5 8.7.(55)

WERRIBEE
4.1 4.3 5.5 7.10.(52)

GOALS

ESSENDON: Hocking, Baguley, Begley, Hartley, Heppell, Jok, Laguda, Long

WERRIBEE: Riccardi 3, Declase 2, Kemp 2

Originally published as Essendon rookie Tom Jok kicks winning goal in dying seconds to secure VFL preliminary final spot