As it happened AFL 2021 Western Bulldogs v Essendon Bombers Hawthorn Hawks v Collingwood Magpies Fremantle Dockers v Brisbane Lions
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Essendon surged back into finals contention with a stunning upset over the table-topping Western Bulldogs on Sunday, with Peter Wright producing a career-best seven-goal haul to drive them to a 13-point victory.
The Bombers had to win to stay in the top-eight race given victories earlier this weekend by the Giants, Richmond and St Kilda, all teams looking to nail one of the finals berths â€" and they didn’t disappoint, ending a seven-year losing run against the Bulldogs.
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Peter Wright booted seven today.Credit:Getty Images
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said the overwhelming inside-50 differential was incredibly unique.
The Dogs had 60 inside-50s to 39, but the Bombers were so efficient going forward.
“I don’t think I have come across a game like that, where they kicked 15.7 from 39 inside 50s, and we were really inefficient and they were very efficient,†Beveridge said.
“To have 60 inside 50s to 39 and lose the game by that small margin it’s hard to process.â€
“It was pretty good wasn’t it,†Essendon coach Ben Rutten said of Peter Wright’s efforts.
“I think he has had some really strong games throughout the season and he is starting to build some real momentum and consistency in his game and tonight he was able to get on the end of a few and his goal kicking was fantastic.
“His ability to present at the ball was great and I think some of our decision making and ball use going inside 50 certainly helped him as well.
“Things might not have worked out for him last year but the way he has applied himself at our club has been fantastic.â€
Outgoing four-time Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson has implied his “competitive juices†are still flowing as he prepares to hand the reins to Sam Mitchell.
Quizzed on whether he is determined to end on a winning high after the Hawks claimed a second-straight victory over Collingwood on Sunday, Clarkson denied giving any thought to his personal situation, but said his will to win had not faded.
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Shaun Burgoyne assesses his options against Collingwood.Credit:Getty Images
“That seems to be the fear [an ACL injury],†Beveridge said post-game, via the Bulldogs website.
“It’s not looking good, but our guys will confirm what the outcome is after a scan tomorrow.
“When the medicos infer that something as drastic as that has happened, they always want confirmation.â€
The news is horrible for Bruce and the Dogs, who are among the premiership favourites. Bruce sits equal second in the Coleman Medal race having kicked 48 goals this year including two on Sunday.
Josh Bruce has a suspected ACL injury.Credit:Getty Images
Stay with us; we’re hoping to have comments from both the Essendon and Bulldogs coaches coming soon.
Around the grounds, Brisbane is flogging Fremantle. At three-quarter-time, the Lions lead 14.8 (92) to 6.3 (39).
Joe Daniher has four goals. Dayne Zorko has 23 disposals and five clearances.
Here’s the pretty innocuous incident that left Josh Bruce with a suspected ACL injury.
Horrible news if correct. Josh Bruce was left in the hands of trainers after an injury in the dying seconds of the match.
Here were Michael Lynch’s top five players and votes
VOTES:
P. Wright (Essendon) 9
M. Bontempelli (Bulldogs) 8
D. Parish (Essendon) 7
S. Draper (Essendon) 7
A. Francis (Essendon) 6
Read his full match report here
Peter Wright booted seven goals for the Bombers in their win over the Bulldogs.Credit:AFL Photos
Bombers fans are going nuts on Twitter!
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