Round 4 – Western Bulldogs v Essendon: Dogs bark keeps Bombers failing to lift off

 

Round 4
Western Bulldogs v Essendon
Sunday, 5 April 2026, 7:20pm
Marvel Stadium

 

Most Bomber fans, whether they were realistic or not, expected to receive a flogging at the hands of the Bulldogs in their Round 4 match on Sunday night. 

 

With the way the Bulldogs started it was apparent we were on the cards for another shellacking! Bontempelli was on fire and unstoppable leading the way constantly driving the ball forward where Darcy and Naughton were having a field day plucking marks at will as the  Bomber defence looked all at sea and in complete disarray at times.

 

Archer May took a strong mark and converted for Essendon’s first goal to lift Bomber spirits. He once again suggested he is a player in the making. 

 

The Bombers battled hard in the second quarter but couldn’t put the score on the board, and we were desparately just hanging on for dear life.

 

The second half saw the Bombers play some of their best footy for a long time. Keeping the Bulldogs goalless in the third quarter was extremely pleasing while kicking 4 goals ourselves. 

 

Our pressure was good, play was much more direct and positive with fewer turnovers than has occured in recent weeks. Archie Roberts was playing a blinder, driving the ball forward with precision and confidence. He was ably supported by his fellow left footers, Jacob Farrow, and Jaxon Prior. In only his second game Farrow showed a lot of class and composure beyond his age and experience indicating a terrific future for him.

 

The forwards started to take marks with more direct delivery into the forward line. Thomas Edwards looked at home at full forward and kicked a couple of nice goals. Peter Wright clutched a couple of good marks, kicked a goal but missed a couple he would otherwise have kicked in the past. Gresham with 3 goals was fighting for his footy career and certainly kept it alive with a lively display on the forward line.

 

Blakiston, after a very good start to the season lowed his colours to the imposing power of the Bulldogs rucks and talls and was banished to the back line, where he proved a welcome addition. Wright played well when he went into the ruck and perhaps was the player who started to turn things around for the Bombers. Parish had his best game for a long time and is slowly now beginning to show some of the form we know he is capable of. Merrett played his heart out.

 

The Western Bulldogs are a very good side, obviously a top 4 side at the moment so it was a credible performance by the Bombers.

 

The pleasing aspect for Essendon supporters was the team had a real crack this week and hopefully this will continue and improve and maybe there will be some upcoming wins. 

 

WESTERN BULLDOGS             7.2    10.7    10.14     14.15 (99)
ESSENDON                                  1.3      1.7       5.9        9.11 (65)

 

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Jones 3, Naughton 3, Darcy 3, Bontempelli, Bramble, Williams, Kennedy, Dolan
Essendon: Gresham 3, Edwards 2, May 2, Wright, Caldwell

 

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Lobb, Sanders, Kennedy, Bramble, Naughton
Essendon: Roberts, Prior, Edwards, Durham, May

 

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: English (right knee), Jones (hamstring)
Essendon: Nil

 

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Ed Richards (knee soreness), replaced in selected side by Lachie McNeil
Essendon: Nil

 

Crowd: 38,786 at Marvel Stadium

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

 

To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au  home page click HERE

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE