ESSENDON has secured its first win of the season, coming from behind then holding on for an eight-point win over Greater Western Sydney at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon.
With both sides languishing near the bottom of the ladder, the high-stakes clash was all about survival, and it was the Bombers who ultimately seized their moment, claiming a 6.7 (43) to 5.5 (35) victory.
GIANTS v BOMBERS Full match coverage and stats
Although the Giants built a match-high 25-point lead early in the third term, their advantage quickly unravelled in the second half as the Bombers rallied, booting 5.3 while restricting GWS to just a single behind for the remainder of the game.
As the pressure mounted, the Giants struggled to find an answer. While Essendon held a slight 25–22 edge at the clearances, the Giants dominated entry volume with a 50–23 advantage in inside 50s.
However, it was the visitors who proved far more efficient in front of goal. The Bombers converted 26 per cent of their entries, contrasting sharply with the Giants' wasteful 10 per cent conversion rate.
Maddy Prespakis put the team on her back, driving the comeback with a game-high 35 disposals, a game-high 580 metres gained, and a pivotal goal — spearheading the Bombers' third-term surge — while Emily Gough also proved lively with two majors.
Up next
Essendon will visit Mission Whitten Oval to face the Western Bulldogs on Friday at 7:15 pm AEST, while Greater Western Sydney travels to Geelong to face the Cats at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday at 5:05pm AEST.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Â Â Â 3.1 Â Â 5.4 Â Â 5.5 Â Â 5.5 (35)
ESSENDONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1.2 Â Â 1.4Â Â Â 4.7 Â Â 6.7 (43)
Â
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Parker 2, Eva, Brazendale, HuntingtonÂ
Essendon: Gough 2, Toogood, Gay, Prespakis, Bannister
Â
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Parker, Brazendale, Garnett, Lucas-Rodd, McCormick, Janschek
Essendon: Prespakis, Toogood, Gay, Gough, Wales, Gaylor, Busch
Â
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Crowd: 1044 at Henson Park
