Essendon VFL has shifted into fourth position on the ladder with one game remaining in the home-and-away season.
This afternoon’s win over Richmond means that should Werribee beat Footscray tomorrow afternoon, the VFL Bombers finish in fourth position and secure the all-important double chance.
“We will wait and see what result goes our way tomorrow,” VFL Co-Coach Mark Corrigan said.
“Either way if it’s Box Hill or Casey we will have a look at them closely and modify a few things.
“But at the end of the day we’re going to play our brand of footy and hope that it stack up against who ever we play.”
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the VFL Dons, enduring some nervous moments in the last term.
Holding a healthy 33-point lead at the last change and looking like a comfortable victory, the Tigers came out firing in the last term, kicking the first five goals of the last quarter to get six points.
“Going into the game we probably would have taken a three goal win, but it was a bit closer than we would have liked in that last term,” Corrigan said.
“But to the boys’ credit they found a way to arrest the momentum and run out winners.”
The midfield battle was crucial throughout the match with Essendon managing to take the points when it counted.
“I think the boys got on top through the middle,” Corrigan said.
“Their contested work was really good and the ability to keep the ball forward and make the most of out scoring opportunities was definitely a credit to them.
“We started to nullify their un-contested marks and not allow them to chip the ball around like they were in the first half.”
Youngster Kyle Langford was brilliant after his first VFL game in some time.
The first year-Bomber racked up a team-high 24 disposals, including eight marks and six clearances.
“Langers played some serious time through the midfield and he was fantastic,” Corrigan said.
“His work as a taller midfielder in the contest was really good. When he gets the ball he has always got a good awareness of what’s around him and makes good decisions.”
Ariel Steinberg backed up his solid VFL form, limiting Richmond big-man Liam McBean to just two goals.
“The ball never gets through him,” Corrigan said.
“His ability to read the ball through the air and come off an help his teammates or intercept mark is huge.”
Werribee’s match against Footscray will be broadcast live on Channel Seven from 12pm tomorrow afternoon.
A Werribee win means the Bombers stay in fourth position and face Box Hill, while a loss means Essendon would finish fifth and face Casey next weekend.
Essendon 12.8 (80) defeated Richmond 9.9 (63)
Goals
Essendon: K. Hardingham 3, D. Wills 2, J. Thompson 2, K. Langford, A, Browne, E. Kavanagh, J. Polkinghorne, I. Muller
Best
Essendon: K. Langford, J. Ashby, A. Steinberg, J. Polkinghorne, K. Hardningham, L. Byrne
