The Essendon Bombers secured a thrilling two-point victory over the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Good Friday, with Peter Wright kicking six goals to lead the charge. However, the win was dampened by a suspected season-ending achilles injury to ruckman Sam Draper. The Bombers overcame a 29-point deficit early in the match, with two quick goals late in the match from Archie Perkins and Wright giving them a crucial 12-point buffer. In the dying moments, a goal from Eagles forward Jack Williams narrowed the margin to just two points, but Essendon managed to hold on for the win in front of a crowd of over 46,000 fans.
West Coast, coming off a record-low 77 contested possessions in their previous match, came out strong with 35 contested possessions in the opening quarter against Essendon. Key forward Jake Waterman was dominant, kicking four goals in the first quarter alone, while Jeremy McGovern anchored the defence with 23 disposals. Tim Kelly made a strong return to the team with 22 disposals and three clearances, and Elijah Hewett had a standout performance with 22 disposals, five clearances, and two goals. However, Harley Reid’s impact was limited to 17 disposals and three clearances, and his heavy bump on Archie Roberts in the first quarter may face disciplinary action.
Despite the relentless pressure from West Coast, Essendon managed to claw their way back into the match with Wright’s accurate kicking and some crucial goals from other players. The thrilling finish saw the Eagles close the gap to just two points in the final moments, but Essendon’s ability to maintain possession and chew up valuable time off the clock secured the win. The result was a testament to the Bombers’ resilience and ability to overcome adversity, particularly in the face of Draper’s injury setback.
The loss of Draper to a suspected season-ending achilles injury will be a significant blow to Essendon, as the ruckman has been a key player for the team this season. His absence will undoubtedly impact the team’s structure and strategy moving forward, and they will need to find a way to fill the void left by his injury. However, the Bombers can take heart from their ability to fight back from a significant deficit and secure a hard-fought victory against a strong West Coast side, demonstrating their determination and competitiveness.
Overall, Essendon’s win over West Coast was a dramatic and exciting display of AFL football, with both teams showing moments of brilliance and tenacity throughout the match. Despite facing adversity early on, the Bombers rallied together to secure a crucial win, with Wright’s outstanding performance standing out as a highlight. The injury to Draper will undoubtedly be a challenging hurdle for Essendon to overcome, but their ability to come together as a team and pull off a thrilling victory bodes well for their resilience and determination moving forward in the season.
