Essendon VFL has moved a step closer to securing a top four spot with a five-point win over fellow top four aspirants, Footscray.

The Bombers led for most of the game but the Dogs hit the front midway through the last term.

Goals to Nick O’Brien from deep in the pocket and the fleet-footed Nick Hind steadied the ship for the Bombers and the home side was able to hold on for a narrow win in front of a vocal Windy Hill crowd.

O’Brien was brilliant in the midfield for the Bombers amassing 40 possessions. Brent Stanton (31), Kyle Langford (30) and Kobe Mutch were also busy.

The Bulldogs side featured four players (Matthew Boyd, Clay Smith, Tom Boyd and Fletcher Roberts) who played in last year’s AFL premiership.

And it was the marking power of Tom Boyd, alongside fellow big man Tom Campbell that provided some headaches for an undersized Dons defence.

Boyd kicked three goals for the Bulldogs before sitting out the last quarter.

The Bulldogs kicked the first two goals of the match but it was all the Bombers in the opening term as the home side’s run and dare through the middle of the ground created scoring opportunities.

Heath Hocking kicked two goals in the first quarter, while O’Brien (eight disposals), Stanton (seven) and Mutch (seven) were influential.

O’Brien picked up 14 possessions in the second quarter, with each side kicking two goals to see the Bombers hold a ten point lead at the major break.

First year player, Jordan Ridley – a composed presence in defence this season – spent large parts of the match in the Dons forward half. He booted an important goal in the third term and finished with 17 possessions and ten marks.

The Dons lost Hocking during the third quarter after he picked up a corked thigh in a marking contest.

At the last change the Bombers led by five points and that margin remained as each side booted three goals in the last quarter.

Essendon 13.10.88

Defeated

Footscray 12.11.83 

Disposals: O’Brien 40, Stanton 31, Langford 30, Mutch 27, Hind 20

Goals: Langford 2, Hocking 2, Long 2, Ridley, Ottavi, Peters, Hind, Younan, O’Brien, Boyse