ESSENDON took the first step back towards VFL top eight contention with a 62-point win against Sandringham at Windy Hill on Saturday.
The 21.17 (143) to 12.9 (81) win improved the Bombers to 10th on the table with three wins and six losses, one win behind eighth-placed Werribee from one extra game played.
Essendon led by 21 points at quarter-time and kept the lead through a free-scoring second quarter. The teams exchanged six goals with Sandringham drawing no closer than 14 points in the mid-stages of the term, still 23 down at half-time.
Matthew Bate was vital in the third term, kicking two goals, after Sandringham closed to within seven points. Bate’s goal was the spark, followed by Martin Gleeson’s third of the day to kick-start a run of goals from Corey Dell’Olio, Bate again, Trent Shinners and then Leroy Jetta.
The burst restored Essendon’s lead, up 34 at the last change.
And the Bombers went on with the job, Sandringham managing just one goal in the last term as Bate, Travis Colyer and Dell’Olio were major contributors to Essendon’s five goals for the term.
Essendon takes on Williamstown (fifth, 5-3) at Burbank Oval from 2pm on Sunday.
