The VFLW Bombers have suffered consecutive defeats after they went down to the Western Bulldogs by 18 points at Windy Hill on Saturday. 

A last-quarter resurgence wasn’t enough to get the Bombers over the line with the Bulldogs proving too strong and running away with a 4.4 (28) to 1.4 (10) win.

The slippery conditions proved difficult for both sides, but the Bulldogs managed to get on the board early, making Essendon play catch-up from the start. 

Eloise Ashley-Cooper was instrumental through the midfield while Mia-Rae Clifford fought hard up forward to get the Bombers on the board. 

After a slow first quarter, Essendon started to regain momentum, but struggled to get past the height of the Bulldogs’ defence with the away side taking a 14-point lead into the main break. 

Alana Barba and Zali Friswell were lively throughout the third term, using their clean skills to move the ball into space and drive it forward towards goals. 

The Bombers’ backline, led by Alex Morcom, stood strong against their fast opponents but it wasn’t enough with the Bulldogs further extending their lead, leaving the Bombers looking defeated. 

But Essendon came out firing in the final term, determined to reduce the deficit with debutants Emelia Yassir and Neve Crowley demonstrating their clean skills in the wet conditions. 

After controlling the last quarter, the Bombers finally broke through for their first goal in the final five minutes but the change in momentum was too late with the Bulldogs securing an 18-point win. 

Blooding youth

The Bombers introduced more youth into their side with Crowley and Yassir joining their Calder Cannons teammates Friswell and Kasey Lennox at VFLW level. 

Although young, the quartet didn’t look out of place at the higher level with their clean skills and strong marks adding an extra sense of class to the Bombers’ line-up. 

Coach Brendan Major was impressed with how the NAB League girls stepped up and fitted in within the Essendon side. 

“They’re really good and they’ve come in prepared so they can really just fight really hard,” Major said. 

“It’s always a big step for them as the players playing against them are a lot bigger at this level, so they did well.”

Last-quarter surge

Essendon’s final quarter showed the style of football it is capable of with the home side gaining control of the play through tough tackles and clean possessions. 

An increase in energy across the field inspired the Bombers to change momentum and restrict the Bulldogs to one point while finally getting on the board themselves. 

But after a scoreless first three quarters, the four-goal deficit was too much for the Bombers to overcome.

Major was impressed with his side’s resilience and positive attitude when behind on the scoreboard. 

“The Bulldogs played well but I thought we probably didn’t play at the level that we would like to at this point in the season,” Major said. 

“I think we played the game out. The last five minutes were the best parts of the game even though the game was done.”

Young leader steps up

Leadership group member Ashley-Cooper was dominant through the midfield with solid tackles and clean clearances into space. 

Ashley-Cooper fought hard to against the Bulldogs’ defence to find space and send the ball forward, resulting in a best-on-ground performance. 

Major was pleased with Ashley-Cooper’s effort across four quarters, with the young midfielder inspiring the team’s final-quarter lift, but said a team effort was needed to win.

“I think ‘Coops’ (Ashley-Cooper) played pretty well and Friswell played well across half-forward and Coops through the midfield,” Major said. 

“But we (the team) were probably just a step off today.”

Essendon will look to return to the winners list and confirm its position in the top six when it hosts the 10th-placed North Melbourne at Windy Hill next Saturday at 10am. 

ESSENDON 0.1 0.1 0.3 1.4 (10)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.1 2.2 4.3 4.4 (27)

Goals: Clifford

Best: Ashley-Cooper, Clifford, Morcom, Friswell, Barba, Yassir