Essendon have survived a large scare to strengthen their grip on an AFL top-eight spot with a tense six-point win over injury-hit North Melbourne.
A sport of swinging momentum finally fell the Bombers’ means when substitute Massimo D’Ambrosio snapped the match-winning purpose with two minutes left in a 16.9 (105) to fifteen.9 (99) victory at Marvel Stadium.
The second-from-bottom Kangaroos trailed by 20 factors at quarter-time and misplaced essential midfielders Jy Simpkin and Hugh Greenwood to concussion earlier than the principle break.
But they fought again with six consecutive objectives and led by 17 factors in the course of the third time period.
The Bombers kicked six of the following seven majors to show for house with a lead and received their noses again in entrance in a nerve-wracking closing quarter, boosting their finals hopes within the course of.
The lead modified palms 4 occasions within the final time period and scores had been stage within the closing couple of minutes earlier than D’Ambrosio stepped up with the sport on the road.
Kyle Langford booted 4 objectives for Essendon and Zach Merrett completed with a game-high 34 disposals, whereas Jye Caldwell (27 touches), Jordan Ridley (21) and Nic Martin (21, two objectives) had been essential.
Cameron Zurhaar kicked 4 objectives for North and Ben McKay had some large moments in defence.
An undermanned midfield led by Will Phillips (28 disposals), Bailey Scott (19) and Harry Sheezel (21) threatened to elevate the Kangaroos to an enormous upset.
There had been early alarm bells for North as their opponents’ means to waltz out of stoppages led to the Bombers kicking 4 of the primary 5 objectives.
Merrett produced a large opening time period, racking up 17 disposals, 5 clearances and two objectives by the primary break as Essendon opened up a 20-point lead.
But Liam Shiels put the clamps on the Bombers’ ball-winner within the second time period, limiting him to 5 touches.
North kicked three unanswered objectives within the second time period and rattled off the primary three majors of the third, with Tarryn Thomas’ snap placing them 17 factors up.
Three objectives in 5 minutes put the Bombers again in entrance in a sport of quickly swinging momentum.
Essendon followers received some gentle reduction in an intense third time period when Andrew Phillips’ shanked kick led to a Nic Martin mark – after the ball bounced off his head – and purpose to present them an 11-point break on the closing change.
There had been 4 lead modifications within the closing time period and North’s Jaidyn Stephenson levelled the scores with a superb snap with three minutes left, solely to be outdone by D’Ambrosio.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
