Apart from the time clock and the clothes being entirely inconsistent with that theory…
I spent the whole weekend hating footy then right at the end of the fifth and final game I watch, finally something goes our way. Hallefuckinglujah.
5 Likes
Damn.
Amidst many others from the larger squad present today, including the slightly more casually-dressed Viking Goetz.
2 Likes
Great fun watching the replay, appreciating in retrospect every time we win the game and every time Werribee lose it.
2 Likes
At least he kept his head and didn’t try to kick the bag out of it. Very measured, which gave him the chance of hitting up Hocking or kicking the goal himeslf. Particularly impressive considering the state of the game and so little time on the clock.
8 Likes
The Dons were two goals up at the last break, before the fast-finishing Tigers snatched the lead just six minutes in.
It was nearly a case of déjà vu for the Bombers, trailing by two points in its cut-throat semi-final, before finiding a way forward to record the 8.7 (55) to 7.10 (52) victory at Adcon Stadium.
Heavy rain early made clean possession hard to come by, as the game got off to a scrappy start.
Essendon’s back six was crucial in repelling the early footy, but the Bombers couldn’t capitalise on their own inside-50 entries.
Werribee was first on the board six minutes in, but part-time forward Michael Hartley was quick to respond via a set shot.
The Tigers then booted three of the next four goals to leave Essendon chasing an 11-point margin at the first break.
The game turned on its head when skipper Aaron Heppell (18 disposals, four marks) and hard-working defender Jake Long combined on the scoreboard, giving the Bombers a narrow one-point lead.
It was arguably Essendon’s best quarter, bringing relentless pressure and using the corridor to quickly move the ball forward.
The Bombers managed to hold Werribee goalless in the process while adding three straight, highlighting their second-term efficiency in front of goal.
With the rain easing after half-time, it was game on again in a tight third term.
Vice-captain Heath Hocking put boot to ball in the goalsquare to give the Dons some breathing space, but it wasn’t long before Werribee fired back.
The last quarter was as frantic as it could get, with both sides wanting to leave nothing on the park in the do-or-die clash.
The Tigers were composed enough to kick two unanswered goals and level the scores, but the Dons didn’t give up.
Even when things looked grim, Essendon had trust and belief in its game plan, which eventually paid off when Jok sneaked home the last score of the match.
Werribee did have its chances however, finishing with 2.5 for the term.
The win was a team effort from the VFL Bombers, with all eight of their majors coming from individual goalkickers.
Prolific midfielder David Myers finished with 21 disposals and five tackles, while Mark Baguley (17, one goal), Trent Mynott (17, seven tackles) and Dylan Clarke (17, 11 tackles) were just as impactful.
Jordan Ridley (16 touches) , Matt Dea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher stood firm in defence, while Bruno Laguda and Dylan Landt ran rampant in the middle.
Senior coach Dan Jordan was immensely proud of his players’ response to the challenge.
“I’m just really, really proud of them. They had their backs to the wall with Werribee throwing everything at them, but they stuck fat and got the job done which is what finals footy is all about.
“It doesn’t matter how much you win by in finals – it’s about being in front when the final siren goes.”
Jordan had “every confidence in the boys”, and admitted he was fairly calm throughout the last quarter.
He was also impressed by how the Dons managed to turn things around after last weekend’s qualifying-final heartbreak, looking forward to an upcoming preliminary final.
“I thought we showed good growth from last week, and hopefully we can continue that.
“Williamstown is a hard, contested side so there’s a fair few things we’ll focus on throughout the week but we’ll just bring our best (footy) on Sunday.”
It took a team effort from the VFL Dons to get over the line in a nail-biter. (Photo: Ben Johnstone)
Essendon will meet Williamstown at 2:10pm on Sunday, September 15 at Adcon Stadium, with the winner to advance to the Grand Final against Richmond or Port Melbourne at Ikon Park on September 22.
Essendon 2.2 5.2 7.5 8.7 (55)
Werribee 4.1 4.3 5.5 7.10 (52)
Goals: Hartley, Baguley, Heppell, Long, Laguda, Hocking, Begley, Jok
Disposals: Myers 21, Heppell 18, Baguley, Clarke, Mynott, McNiece 17, Ridley 16
4 Likes
First man to Jok post-interview:
8 Likes
Well, yay team!
14 Likes
Why is Myers acting like we lost the game?
5 Likes
I’ve watched the Jok goal a couple dozen times just to watch everyone behind the goals (and I mean everyone, 100% Bombers) going full Fark Carlton.
Well done by pops not to drop the baby or his drink.
Little kid in the jumper wins though.
10 Likes
Thought when I saw him on telly he showed great passion.
Well done young man. 
1 Like
Ah, my bad, I overlooked that one.
My vote goes to Pops. He had two handicaps (three, if you count age 
) and handled the situation with aplomb. (Which is a word that is very rarely used on this forum).
1 Like
I was watching you during the last quarter
Looked really relaxed & stress free…
2 Likes
I’m insulted by this photo.
It was raining — where’s the umbrella?
1 Like
I was more impressed you gave Heppell a lift.
11 Likes
Think I wore out the patch of bitumen I was pacing on 
7 Likes
It was tough going in the timekeeper box. I just wanted to press that button straight after that final goal.
6 Likes
My wife dragged me off to an Art Show!
So, who were the bests?
VFL website says
1 Clarke
2 Myers
3. Laguda
4 McNiece
5 Baggers
6. Bowman
Any others deserve a mention?
1 Like