Essendon held off Geelong to claim a 21-point victory in an entertaining clash in Round 5 of Peter Jackson VFL at Windy Hill.
The Bombers, leading for most of the day, relinquished the lead midway through the final term but rallied to boot the last four goals of the match to win 16.9.105 to the Cats 12.12.84. Shane Goss reports.
Former Melbourne ruckman, Mark Jamar, dominated in the ruck for the Bombers and his aerial work around the ground was superb, finishing with 21 disposals and 41 tapouts. Jack Langford continues to impress for the Bombers with 20 disposals and three goals while Jackson Merrett was busy early and finished with 30 disposals and three goals.
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Geelong was well served by George Horlin-Smith with 25 touches, 16 contested and a couple of goals and young Tasmanian draftee, Ryan Gardner, who held Bomber's spearhead Sam Grimley to just the two goals, both coming in the third quarter.
Just six points separated the sides at half-time, with Cats coach Shane O'Bree calling for his defenders not to allow the Bombers to run and spread as they trailed the home team.
The game opened up in the third quarter with the Bombers kicking four quick goals and when Shaun Edwards kicked truly nine minutes in, the Bombers had shot out to a 30-point lead. The Cats clawed their way back however with the last three goals of the term to trail by nine points at the final change.
Horlin-Smith continued to find the ball in the last quarter, receiving good support from Billie Smedts and Zac Bates who had booted two goals. Sam McLachlan put Geelong in front at the 15 minute mark but the Bombers answered quickly thanks to Irishman Connor McKenna and they followed it up with three more, to move within a game of top spot on the ladder.
The Cats won the clearances and disposals on the stats sheet however their efficiency wasn’t up to that of the Bombers who made the most of their chances going forward. Essendon have an opportunity to cement a place in the top eight next week when they take on bottom placed Coburg at Piranha Park while Geelong are at home to Collingwood in Round 6 of the Peter Jackson VFL.
Photo: Shane Goss
Last Modified on 10/05/2016 23:38
