Essendon VFL are back on the winners’ list and have moved a game clear inside the top eight following a 23-point win over Frankston at Frankston Oval today.

The Bombers got off to a flying start with a seven goal to one opening term and maintained the lead from that point on, winning 16.11 (107) to the Dolphins 12.12 (84).

The Bombers led by 54 points at three quarter time, but the home side created some nerves through the final quarter, closing the margin to 16 points before a Nash Holmes goal was able to halt the Dolphins momentum.

The match was played on a soft ground with strong winds favouring the eastern end to which the Bombers kicked in the first and third quarters.

Essendon recruit Justin Van Unen’s VFL debut couldn’t have got off to a better start, kicking the first goal of the game inside the opening minutes creating a real buzz in the Bombers’ camp.

Ben Dobson was back in the team and kicked his first soon after with the Bombers further dominating the play with goals from Alex McLeod and Mason Redman before Van Unen and Dobson struck again to hand them a 37-point quarter time lead.

Shaun Edwards run through the middle helped set up an easy goal for Redman to get the second quarter off to a dream start. Redman returned the gesture of a handball over the top, with Van Unen the beneficiary booting his third.

Goals from Jack Langford, Gach Nyuon and a great set shot from Dobson after the half time siren saw the Bombers lead by an even 50 points at the long interval.

With the inclement weather and wind not easing throughout the second half, it certainly wasn’t a game for many highlights with the Bombers digging deep to maintain their dominant advantage throughout the third term.

Aaron Heppell was outstanding but had his hands full playing on the Frankston star Ben Cavara for the majority of the afternoon, while Mason Redman and Nick Kommer were handy targets and giving plenty of drive forward of centre.

The midfield trio of Holmes, James Polkinghorne and Daniel Coghlan were relishing the heavier conditions and were constantly among the last to get up from many a crowded stoppage.

Redman and Edwards added to the Bombers tally and Chris Peart kicked truly after the three quarter time siren to stretch the lead to nine goals.

The elusive four quarter performance remains for the Bombers, who let the Dolphins back into the game with the opening six goals of the final term much to the delight of the vocal local supporters.

A set shot goal from Holmes into time-on restored some calm for the visitors amongst the Dolphins charge.

Assistant coach Dan Jordan said it was all about maintaining the effort seen in the first term over the while match.  

“We played really well in patches, the first quarter obviously but we didn’t finish off the game as strong as we would like, we have to play four quarters of footy,” Jordan said.

“We got the win today but it could have been in better circumstances, it was a bit bitter after that finish.”

Starts have been an issue for the Bombers, but there were no concerns today with the seven goal first term.

“It was pleasing that we started so well, we just have to be able to maintain it over four quarters,” Jordan said.

“In the last quarter we fell away, we got beaten around the contest and that was really the barometer for the side.

“It’s just about sustained effort, opposition sides will kick two goals in a row, we just have to learn how to respond to be able to shut teams down so that one or two goals don’t turn into four or five goals.”

The win see’s the Bombers have a game clear in eighth positions of the ladder, even on points with Geelong in seventh and four points clear of Box Hill in ninth.

The Bombers host Box Hill next Saturday at Windy Hill from 11am.

“We have got some pretty sore boys and a six day break, they have to recover well and come up against Box Hill who are a quality outfit as we know,” Jordan said.

“Every game is massive but particularly when you’re playing someone around the same mark, it turns into the old cliché ‘eight point game.’

“We will approach it like any other game just trying to get the result, not looking at the ladder and where that would put us.”

*There were no individual stats available post game.

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