West Coast erase Essendon’s AFL finals hopes
West Coast has staked its claim for a vital top four finish while putting an end to Essendon’s final aspirations with an 15-point victory at the Gabba.
West Coast has staked its claim for a vital top four finish while putting an end to Essendon’s final aspirations with an 15-point victory at the Gabba on Tuesday night.
The Eagles led at every change although the victory was not without its moments after they squandered a 34-point lead midway through the second quarter as Essendon surged to within nine points in the third term.
The Bombers fought back with four straight goals, despite losing productive midfielder Andrew McGrath with an ankle injury before halftime, through the hard running of midfield duo Zach Merrett and Dylan Shiel and half forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwati (four goals).
However, the Eagles steadied with two late goals in the third term and including a career-first for Tom Cole in his 52nd game.
Cole’s milestone was set by lively West Coast forward Liam Ryan who bagged four majors of his own including three from set shots inside 50m. Ryan proved a handful for Essendon’s defence deep in attack and he was just as creative further afield.
His game turning moment came when he won a contested ball off the deck in the middle of the ground and found Jetta out wide who kicked to Jack Darling who in turn found Cole in the teeth of goal.
He followed up with a goal on the siren that stopped Essendon’s momentum and provided much needed breathing space as Essendon continued to fight to the death.
The 23-year-old proved the perfect replacement for regular spearhead Josh Kennedy who was unavailable after suffering concussion last week.
Essendon captain Dyson Heppell, who was playing his first game since fracturing an ankle in late June and only his second for the season, ignited a mini-second quarter revival with his only kick in the first half.
The 28-year-old first scrambled for, and won, possession at ground level inside the Bombers’ forward 50m and moments later found himself on the end of Matt Guelfi handpass to swing on to his left foot and slot a goal.
It dragged the Bombers within 28 points and after goals from Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and James Stewart, which survived a contentious review, the margin was sliced to 16 points.
Heppell had no fewer than five opponents in the first half including West Coast midfield dynamos Andrew Gaff and Dom Sheed, with none really paying too much close attention to their own detriment as he racked up quality disposals.
Even a piece of Heppell brilliance brought about Joe Daniher’s first set shot for the evening.
Heppell pulled off a visionary dish-off over his head which led to Daniher taking a mark inside forward 50m, but instead of using the allocated 30 seconds to shoot for goal, the 26-year-old played on and made a meal of it with a set shot from 20m that would have cut the margin to 10 points midway through the third term.
It wasn’t the best of nights for Daniher who bagged three goals in his return match last week.
He finished with three behinds from six kicks and half a dozen marks.
More Coverage
The elephant Port must still get out of the room
Port Adelaide planning to confirm its succession plan from Ken Hinkley to Josh Carr before round 1 is odd timing. This could and should have been done by now, as MATT TURNER writes.
Top 25: Who took the mark of the century?
There’s nothing like a high-flying grab in Australian rules. But who flew highest this century? Josh Barnes picks the greatest 25 marks of the last 25 years. HAVE YOUR SAY.