Essendon finish the season on a high with a 22-point win over Port
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TODAY’S LINE-UP from 6PM: Matthew Lloyd, Warren Tredrea, Dwayne Russell, Bruce Eva, and Nick Butler
Photo: Kelly Barnes / AAP
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FULL TIME
Essendon has recorded its 12th win for the season.
The Bombers beat Port by 22 points to end the year on a high.
The result snuffs out the Power’s minuscule chance of making the finals.
Jayden Laverde was instrumental in Essendon’s breakaway start, which saw them open up a match-winning lead by quarter time.
He told 3AW the team wanted to win for Brendon Goddard’s final match in red and black.
“He led through the tough times, he’s taken this club a long way,” he said.
“There’s no doubt we were going to get up and give him a special send-off.”
Click PLAY to hear from Laverde in the rooms
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HALF TIME
Essendon leads by 25 points at the main break.
The Dons booted six goals to one in the opening quarter to break the game wide open.
Port woke up in the second term, bringing the marking back to nine points midway through the second quarter.
But the Bombers returned fire just before half time.
Heppell.
Zaharakis.
Brown.Essendon hits back with three in a row and lead by 26. #AFLPowerDons
— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) August 24, 2018
Jayden Laverde is leading the way, with three majors, while Devon Smith and Dyson Heppell have racked up 15 touches.
Jared Polec (18 disposals, one goal) is starring for the Power in what might be his last game for the club.
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THE BUILD-UP
And so, the final round is upon us!
Port head into Friday night’s clash with the slightest chance of making the eight.
The Power would need to beat Essendon tonight, and also hope Gold Coast beats Geelong in Geelong tomorrow.
But Essendon haven’t checked out just yet.
The Bombers have plenty of reasons to win this: to prove their interstate record, to take momentum into 2019, and to send off veteran Brendon Goddard, just to name a few.
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