Someone’s the jokester.
I’m going with this being a Mr Burns “excellent” from Liv.
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Wilson found an opponent shorter than herself!
She’s a key forward who happens to be way too small for that.
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By Blake Gaffiero
Essendon have locked in their place for the 2023 VFLW finals series with a tense 13-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
Returning to Windy Hill for the first time this season, the Bombers traded blows with the Bulldogs in a see-sawing contest for most of the day.
Trailing by five points at three-quarter-time and requiring a win to keep their season alive, the Bombers found an extra gear right when they needed to.
The forward duo of Olivia Manfre and co-captain Mia-Rae Clifford hit the scoreboard in quick succession to restore Essendon’s lead, before a jubilant Megan Ryan put the result beyond doubt, finishing off a brilliant team goal.
Ryan would end the day with 15 disposals and two goals in a game-breaking display, alongside many others who stood up late in the piece.
Sophie Molan and El Chaston combined for 47 disposals, whilst Zoe Hurrell was solid on the last line with four big marks.
The win locks the Bombers into fifth place ahead of the official finals fixture announcement this week.
ESSENDON 1.0 3.0 3.3 6.5 (41)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.1 2.1 4.2 4.4 (28)
Goals: Ryan 2, Clifford 2, Manfre 2
Best: Molan, Ryan, Chaston, Sutton
The alternate point of view:
By Kiara Barbara
The VFLW Western Bulldogs concluded their 2023 season with a 13-point defeat to Essendon on Saturday.
It was a tense contest with both teams alternating the lead at each interchange, although three unanswered goals in the final quarter by the Bombers saw the Bulldogs out-run in the 6.5 (41) to 4.4 (28) affair.
A late goal by Mary Sandral in the opening term put the Dogs on the board and in front by one point.
Into the second term, the tough contest continued as Sandral delivered her second major through the sticks, but the Bombers managed the upper hand heading into the main break.
The Bulldogs picked up momentum as debutant, Molly Althouse, kicked her first VFLW goal early in the third quarter.
Making it back-to-back majors on the scoreboard by courtesy of Eleanor Bishop, the Bulldogs were in front by five points.
The red, white, and blue persisted in their efforts but the home side were too strong, kicking away with three unanswered goals.
Sarah Skinner (22 disposals, nine tackles) and Dominique Carbone (19 disposals, three marks, five clearances) concluded their stellar seasons, while Jorja Borg did not waiver with her defensive efforts totalling 22 hit outs, 11 touches and five tackles.
Ashleigh Snow collected 19 touches and Tahlia Meier was next in line recording 16.
Despite the result, the VFLW Bulldogs come away with a 2023 campaign to be proud of.
That is Sam Draper-esque levels of celebration!
So happy Meg has stuck around after missing out on the AFLW spot for season 8. What a legend.
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I can assure everyone she is MORE energetic than I portray her here… and like Draper, it’s not self-promotion but team-lifting.
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She definitely is.
If she’s relatively quiet or restrained, it shows in the rest of the team.
Her improvement this year has been great.
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Click through for ground level video of forward pressure 
No reports from this game or round.