But that was the catalyst for a massive turnaround,with Essendon’s tall marking forwards making a huge impact.
First it was Aaron Francis,nabbing his second,then Wright,who was to kick three in the quarter,struck as the Bombers got on a roll – a result of their clearance work,where they were able to match the Bulldogs and get more of the ball.
When Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was on target with his first major,the Bombers had stretched the lead to nine points and they were taking control.
The Dogs did steady and Jason Johannisen goaled to get them back within a kick. When Anthony Scott took a shot on goal in the dying seconds they had the chance to regain the initiative.
However he was another to spurn the opportunity,missing everything,leaving the Bombers gliding to the dressing rooms with a narrow lead.
Loading
BOMBERS SWOOPING INTO THE EIGHT?
It certainly felt that way late in the third quarter after the excellent Wright had bagged his fourth and Darcy Parish had goaled to push the lead out to a game-high 15 points for Essendon,who had well and truly put that first quarter behind them. But the Dogs only had themselves to blame in many ways,squandering a number of chances with either set shots or attempts on the run,Josh Bruce,who had scored twice in the first quarter,missing one and hitting the woodwork from another.
Even the brilliant Bontempelli was off line when he got the chance to narrow the gap. When Tim English hit the point post from an acute angle with less than a minute left it seems they were fated not to score. Man-of-the-match Wright took matters into his own hands – and boots – when he notched a sixth half-way through the final term and followed up with a seventh. There would be no coming back despite the Dogs’ later rally.
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli,Macrae,Liberatore,Bruce.
Essendon: Wright,Parish,Stringer,Draper,Francis,Merrett.
VOTES:
P. Wright (Essendon) 9
M. Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) 8
D. Parish (Essendon) 7
S. Draper (Essendon) 7
A. Francis (Essendon) 6
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country.Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.