THE WESTERN Bulldogs have continued their unbeaten streak with a clinical 34-point win over struggling Essendon on Sunday night.

It looked ominous early for the Bombers, with the Bulldogs kicking the first five goals of the game, but they held on to keep the final scoreline to a modest 14.15 (99) to 9.11 (65).

The win was soured somewhat by ruck Tim English, small forward Arty Jones and defender Rory Lobb all failing to play out the contest.

After losing Ed Richards before the opening siren, the casualty list for the Bulldogs grew throughout the game, with ruck Tim English (knee) and forward Arty Jones (hamstring) failing to take part in the last quarter.

Following the main break, Essendon established a proactive mindset, and the shift was on. Returning forward Tom Edwards kicked one, then two goals which were energy lifters for those in the sash. Jade Gresham got in on the party, as did Peter Wright. All of that, however, was off the back of increased pressure higher up the field.

01:06

Rd 4 | Returning Don makes statement

Tom Edwards kicks two goals in his returning game early in the third quarter to give the Bombers a much-needed lift.

With a willingness to close down space, and get the small things right, the Bombers protected their backline and generated attack of their own. It was really that simple.

For just the second time this year, the Bombers held their opposition goalless for the term – albeit more a result of the Bulldogs’ conversion, with seven behinds – but it was an injection of energy, nonetheless.

Archie Roberts was impressive for Essendon, finishing with 37 disposals and 708 metres gained, and the mantle of his side’s most consistent player, while Archer May (two goals, four marks) led well at the footy when opportunity presented itself.

Part of Essendon’s second-half surge was becoming accountable to Dogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (35 disposals, seven clearances, one goal). Effectively given free range to roam early in the match, he was held to 13 disposals in the second half not by way of a tag, but rather a systematic awareness of the star.

The Bombers’ good news story
Safe to say, the year hasn’t started brilliantly for Essendon, but a significant highlight on Sunday evening was the return of key forward Tom Edwards from an ACL injury. Leading up at the footy, Edwards plucked the ball out of the air to go back and kick truly from just outside the arc. Importantly, every one of his teammates got around him, kickstarting not only his return to the top level, but his side’s best footy of the match. Five minutes later, he dobbed another from a similar position, proving that his return to the side is just one positive piece to the puzzle that Brad Scott can rely on as the season goes on.

WESTERN BULLDOGS             7.2    10.7    10.14     14.15 (99)
ESSENDON                              1.3    1.7      5.9        9.11 (65)

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Jones 3, Naughton 3, Darcy 3, Bontempelli, Bramble, Williams, Kennedy, Dolan
Essendon: Gresham 3, Edwards 2, May 2, Wright, Caldwell

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Lobb, Sanders, Kennedy, Bramble, Naughton
Essendon: Roberts, Prior, Edwards, Durham, May

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: English (right knee), Jones (hamstring)
Essendon: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Ed Richards (knee soreness), replaced in selected side by Lachie McNeil
Essendon: Nil

Crowd: 38,786 at Marvel Stadium