ESSENDON 15.8 (98) def WEST COAST 13.13 (91)
ESSENDON has once again shown that Patersons Stadium holds no fear as the ‘house of pain’ with their second come-from-behind win at the ground this season after defeating West Coast by seven points in their Round 14 match on Thursday night.
In what has been a tumultuous week for Jobe Watson, the Essendon skipper led the way and was outstanding for his club. The result has moved the Bombers back into the top four.
Watson, who last year won the Brownlow Medal, has been under extra scrutiny this week after revealing on Monday night during an interview on Fox Footy’s ‘On The Couch’ program that he did in fact take a substance that is now banned.
The West Coast fans used the match as an opportunity to voice their displeasure at Watson’s admission and booed each of the Brownlow Medalist’s 29 disposals.
Essendon coach James Hird wasn’t a fan of the booing his captain received but couldn’t be more pleased with the way he played.
“To play the way he did under the pressure he was under was just outstanding.
“I did not like that at all (the booing)…It wasn’t necessary”, said Hird.
West Coast were 17 points in front going into the final quarter only to squander the lead and be down by a point with under a minute remaining. A goal in the final seconds to Dyson Heppell squashed any chance of a West Coast comeback.
The Bombers got plenty of run from Watson, Brent Stanton (27 disposals) and David Zaharakis (26).
The Eagles were spurred on by Matt Priddis (33 disposals), Chris Masten (30), Andrew Gaff (25) and despite another gallant effort were not able to fend off the desperate Bombers late in the final quarter.
Jack Darling and Mark LeCras each kicked three goals for West Coast while Jason Winderlich kicked three for Essendon.
The loss gave West Coast their fifth defeat at home this season and with games against top four sides in Sydney and Fremantle looming, the Eagles season is hanging by a thread.
Despite the result, West Coast coach John Worsfold said post game that he was happy with the effort from his players. Worsfold will need an even greater effort next week when the Eagles travel to AAMI Stadium to take on Adelaide in what is shaping up as a mini final for both sides.
Essendon will be sweating on the outcome of Stewart Crameri who injured his ankle in the third quarter and did not return to field.
With third placed Geelong taking on fourth placed Fremantle on Saturday night, the Bombers should remain in the top four ahead of next weeks clash with Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Here is the video of the final two minutes of the game:
And here are the full match highlights:
WEST COAST 3.4 6.6 12.10 13.13 (91)
ESSENDON 4.1 6.3 10.5 15.8 (98)
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 3, LeCras 3, Dalziell 2, Kennedy 2, Kerr, Priddis, Cox.
Essendon: Winderlich 3, Watson 2, Carlisle 2, Davey 2, Merrett, Ryder, Dempsey, Crameri , Goddard, Heppell.
BEST
West Coast: Priddis, Cox, Darling, Dalzeill, Masten, Glass, Gaff.
Essendon: Watson, Carlisle, Ryder, Winderlich, Dempsey, Melksham, Hooker.
INJURIES
West Coast: Shuey (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Schofield.
Essendon: Crameri (ankle).
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Simon Tunbridge replaced Brad Sheppard in last quarter
Essendon: David Myers replaced Tom Bellchambers in third quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Kamolins, Chamberlain
Official crowd: 36,451at Patersons Stadium