VFL 2018 results: Essendon falls painfully short in one-point VFL loss to Werribee

ESSENDON’S hopes of claiming the coveted second chance took a hefty blow after going down by the narrowest of margins on Saturday.

Jayden Laverde staked his claim for a recall to Essendon’s AFL side. Picture: Michael Klein

ESSENDON’S hopes of claiming the coveted second chance took a hefty blow after going down by the narrowest of margins on Saturday.

The Bombers fell out of the VFL top four for the first time since Round 7 after their third straight loss, upset by Werribee 15.13 (103) to 15.12 (102) in a thriller at Chirnside Park.

Andrew Hooper’s snap from the forward pocket in the dying stages was the 14th and final lead change of the day, earning the Tigers their fourth win.

Essendon coach Dan Jordan bemoaned the result, directing criticism towards the team’s defensive failures in the high-scoring contest.

Jayden Laverde staked his claim for a recall to Essendon’s AFL side. Picture: Michael Klein

“We still could’ve won the game but a couple of little structural errors cost us,” he said.

Jordan felt confident entering the final term with a seven-point buffer but said the work rate was lacking.

“Our work rate picked up and put results on the board, particularly through the third quarter when we kicked seven goals, but we were leaking goals the other way,” Jordan said. “We gave them opportunities.”

While admitting some structural changes could have been made to alter the game’s flow, Jordan said his primary focus was developing players for AFL.

“It is a great experience for our guys. They have strategies to implement when it’s tight,” he said.

“Hopefully they’ll learn from that and in a similar situation next time have a different result.”

James Stewart and Jayden Laverde put their hands up for AFL selection, with Laverde playing through the midfield and in the forward line and showing “a lot of intensity around the contest”.

Mobile forward Stewart especially impressed, finishing with three goals among 26 touches after a wayward first half resulted in four behinds.

“I think he’s been stuck at home the last couple of games and the conditions haven’t favoured him,” Jordan said.

“But he moved a lot better up the field throughout the game and worked his opponent over … but it was a really good game from a key forward.”

Matthew Leuenberger stood out with three third-quarter goals, vice-captain Aaron Heppell was solid on the ball, Kobe Mutch played well on a wing and Sam Hooper made his debut.

Essendon has another tough contest looming at Windy Hill against Collingwood on Saturday before a bye in Round 17.