The VFL Bombers fought hard to secure a 14 point victory over the Tigers out at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

The Bombers missed some golden opportunities early and trailed the Tigers for the majority of the first half, despite being the dominant side.

However, the Bombers managed to pile on seven goals to two in the third quarter to blow the game wide open and take a 25 point lead into the final change.

The Tigers fought back in the final quarter, however the Bombers managed to fight off any comeback to collect a 14 point win.

Essendon midfielder Jackson Merrett said there was a confidence among the team heading into the second half despite trailing.

“We matched it with them early and we knew that we just had to take our opportunities.

“We had that belief in the second half that we could turn it around and run over the top of them, so it was good the boys took on what “Skip” (Coach Hayden Skipworth) had to say,” Merrett said.

Experienced Bomber Leroy Jetta had arguably his best game for the season, producing plenty of scoring opportunities and bringing his team-mates into play and kicking goals.

“Leroy was fantastic today, as was Shauny Edwards and Orazio Fantasia. They were great today, started well and they impacted the scoreboard”

Merrett was full of praise for young defender Sean Gregory, who had the big job on leading competition goal-kicker Liam McBean and managed to keep him to just two goals for the day.

“Going into the game, he was lacking a bit of confidence, so it was good to see him go to their best forward and do a good job on him.”

Despite the win due to other results across the league the Bombers will miss out on VFL finals action in 2014.

The Bombers final game of the season will be next Friday night at Geelong against the Cats.

Essendon: 13.15.(93)

Richmond: 11.13.(79)

Goals: Ashby 3, Edwards 2, Jetta, Merrett, Duscher, Willis, Hardingham, Aylett, Schultz, Kavanagh
Best: Jetta, Fantasia, Tipungwuti, Ashby, Toy, Coghlan