(Getty Images)<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Western Bulldogs have comfortably beaten battling Essendon by 34 points but will rue multiple injuries and an inconsistent performance ahead of a blockbuster clash with Hawthorn.<\/p>\n
Essendon appeared destined for a disastrous thrashing after kicking just one goal in a listless opening half, but responded after halftime to effect a more respectable end score of 14.15 (99) to 9.11 (65).<\/p>\n
Sunday night’s loss still means the Bombers have equalled the club record of 17 consecutive defeats, set when Essendon used top-up players in 2016 amid their supplements saga.<\/p>\n
And it won’t relieve the pressure on the team and their coach Brad Scott.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs’ fourth straight win came at a cost with Tim English (knee) and Artie Jones (hamstring) limping off in the third quarter, just six days out from facing the Hawks at Adelaide Oval.<\/p>\n
Gun midfielder Ed Richards (left knee soreness) withdrew barely half an hour before the game, with Lachie McNeil the late replacement<\/p>\n
Essendon shipped the first five goals and were put to the sword by Marcus Bontempelli (35 disposals) and Sam Darcy (three goals), who destroyed Zach Reid early.<\/p>\n
Matt Kennedy (36 disposals) and Ryley Sanders (34 were prolific) while Aaron Naughton kicked three goals and Jones nabbed a career-high three goals and took two huge first half hangers to set the Bulldogs on their way.<\/p>\n
Archie Roberts (37 disposals) and Zach Merrett (30) had plenty of the ball while Jade Gresham nabbed three goals and Tom Edwards, on return from an ACL tear, kicked two majors along with Archer May.<\/p>\n
In the first half, Essendon consistently turned the ball over, missed tackles and left Bontempelli in acres of space.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs exploded to life when Sam Durham was caught ball watching and Bontempelli ghosted in to receive a handball and snap under no pressure.<\/p>\n
It was the first of five goals on the spin as the Dogs completely exposed the Bombers’ lack of pressure out of the midfield.<\/p>\n
After Darcy outmarked Reid and dobbed his second goal, Essendon swapped Ben McKay onto the Bulldogs sensation.<\/p>\n
Luke Beveridge’s men had a scratchier second quarter and took their foot off the pedal but still kept Essendon goallessfor the term to lead by 54 at halftime.<\/p>\n
Essendon came out of the break with much-needed renewed intent, while the Bulldogs’ skills were all over the shop.<\/p>\n
Edwards grabbed two goals while Gresham and Peter Wright also hit the scoreboard as Essendon reeled in the margin.<\/p>\n
But the Bombers didn’t make the most of their chances and when Naughton goaled at the start of the final term, the result was sealed.<\/p>\n
Essendon fought out the match and in Gather Round, will face rejuvenated Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.<\/p>\n
AAP<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n3h ago<\/span><\/time>Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 12:14pm<\/span><\/time><\/p>\nNext four for Essendon<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Round 5: vs Melbourne (Adelaide Oval)<\/p>\n
Round 6: vs Gold Coast (Carrara)<\/p>\n
Round 7: vs Collingwood (MCG)<\/p>\n
Round 8: vs Brisbane (Docklands)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n3h ago<\/span><\/time>Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 12:10pm<\/span><\/time><\/div>\n‘Taking it week to week’: Marcus Bontempelli happy with the win for Bulldogs<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Marcus Bontempelli has joined Fox Footy after the game to talk about the Bulldogs’ win.<\/p>\n
“We came away winners, but there would be things we’ll pull away [from that game] to learn from,” Bontempelli said.<\/p>\n
His team is 4-0 and the only unbeaten team left in the AFL, but Bontempelli was taking a measured approach.<\/p>\n
“Everyone looks at it differently, I like it we’ve had some difficult opponents early.<\/p>\n
“We’re always trying to process things from week to week. I just think we’ve got to work week to week, getting a one-zip [result].”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n3h ago<\/span><\/time>Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 12:02pm<\/span><\/time><\/p>\nThe ladder with one game to go in round four<\/h3>\n\n\n
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That win puts the Bulldogs a game clear on top of the ladder, with the Swans overtaking the Suns for second spot after Gold Coast’s loss earlier today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n3h ago<\/span><\/time>Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 11:54am<\/span><\/time><\/p>\nFT stats<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\nInside 50s: 54-36 Bulldogs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nClearances: 38-24 Bulldogs\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nCentre clearances: 15-8 Bulldogs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nContested Possessions: 129-110 Bulldogs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nUncontested Possessions: 273-224 Bulldogs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nMarks Inside 50: 14-9 Bulldogs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n3h ago<\/span><\/time>Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 11:51am<\/span><\/time><\/div>\nFT: Western Bulldogs 14.15 (99) beats Essendon 9.11 (65)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Tim English’s injury overshadowed a fourth straight win for the Bulldogs (Getty Images\/AFL Photos)<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe siren sounds and the Bulldogs are 4-0 and top of the ladder.<\/p>\n
But then, we knew that a couple of quarters back, so the real headline here is the impact on the team of potential injuries.<\/p>\n
Tim English’s knee problem is the most important, but Arty Jones’ hamstring is frustrating, while you would hope that Rory Lobb came off as a precaution, otherwise the Bulldogs’ tall stocks will be tested.<\/p>\n
A solid performance in the second half by Essendon, and it gives them some hope going forward – it certainly didn’t look like this would be the final margin halfway through the second term.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n4h ago<\/span><\/time>Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 11:47am<\/span><\/time><\/p>\nThe Bont in the ruck for the Bulldogs<\/h3>\n\n\n
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A sign of the night is that Marcus Bontempelli is going in the ruck in the dying minutes, in the absence of Tim English, while Rory Lobb has been off the ground for a fair portion of the final term.<\/p>\n
The injury report will be interesting out of this one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n4h ago<\/span><\/time>Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 11:43am<\/span><\/time><\/p>\nBombers answer again through Jye Caldwell<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Essendon is still going forward, with Jye Caldwell winning a free inside 50.<\/p>\n
He sends it through, and the Bombers have kicked eight goals to four in the second half.<\/p>\n
It’s still going to be a fourth straight loss for Essendon, but there will be positives to take away from this one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n4h ago<\/span><\/time>Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 11:39am<\/span><\/time><\/p>\nSam Darcy answers for the Bulldogs<\/h3>\n\n\n
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