The Western Bulldogs have rebooted their AFL finals charge as a 41-point win simultaneously dumped Essendon out of the top eight.
And while the much-needed 13.12 (90) to 7.7 (49) victory has put the Dogs back in the mix for a top-four berth, the Bombers have been left to rue another drop in percentage and a big injury blow.
Jordan Ridley, two weeks after avoiding a serious knee injury, pulled up from a kick in significant pain with a quad problem.
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The defender limped from the field and was later spotted on the bench with ice on his leg.
Any absence from the run home would be a significant blow for Essendon, the 24-year-old having recorded a team-high 29 disposals, 14 marks and nine intercept possessions – the most by any player on the night – before his injury.
The Bombers lost another 2.8 percentage points in the defeat to fall to ninth on the ladder before nearby rivals St Kilda, GWS and Carlton have even taken the field for winnable matches this weekend.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, could end the weekend with their eyes on a September double chance.
Down by 11 points at the first break after a flat opening quarter where their midfield was smashed in clearances, the Dogs responded with a decisive 6.2 to 2.1 second term.
The Bulldogs withstood a gritty Bombers charge early in the final quarter when the margin was reduced to 14 points before powering away.
The Bulldogs’ leaders inspired the charge following the slow start, with captain Marcus Bontempelli (29 possessions, two goals) and premiership hero Tom Liberatore (36 touches) sparking the dramatic turnaround in the midfield.
They trailed 12-4 in the clearances at quarter-time, but the Bulldogs ended the match ahead 48-26 with Liberatore finishing with 13 of them.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan slotted three goals to make it 10 from his last four games in an exciting period for the Bulldogs’ former No.1 draft pick.
Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith made a prominent return after a week on the sidelines due to illness, picking up 25 disposals.
– with AAP
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