SYD 73 ESS 74: Bombers win in controversy

Essendon’s most famous win of 2007 will also go down as its most controversial.

Mark McVeigh’s corkscrew goal running towards the boundary line in time-on in the final term should have been a contender for a goal of the year. Replays however showed Adam McPhee has clearly taken the ball over the boundary line moments before. The goal gave Essendon enough of a buffer to hold off the fast finishing Swans. Sydney coach Paul Roos did not shy away from the debate after the match “There’s an enormous amount of frustration, as shown by the 30,000 here tonight”.

The Swans had their chances to steal the lead in the final moments. Amon Buchanan snapped from thirty metres, painfully shaving the post for a behind, in what was the final score of the match. “We should never have let them back in the match, really” said Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy.

The Bombers began the game with a stunning barrage, drilling the first four goals within the opening five minutes. Sydney steadied on the back of a Nick Davis double to sneak within eleven at quarter time.

Essendon began the second term like the first, kicking the first two goals, before the Swans clicked into gear, booting the next five goals. The Bombers would not kick a goal until the final quarter, a goal which handed them back the lead. Quickfire goals to Brett Stanton and Mark Bolton gave the visitors a sixteen point gap.

The victory entrenches Essendon in the top eight at 6-4. “Not many people gave us a chance. I thought we’d played really solid footy this year, we just hadn’t played 120 minutes” said an excited Sheedy.

The Swans drop to 5-5 and face Hawthorn next week. Sydney’s anger at the umpiring not confined to McVeigh’s goal. Security guards were dispatched to the officals after the final siren. “I’ve never heard a crowd in Melbourne react like that, let alone a crowd in Sydney”, said Roos.

Sydney 3.2 7.4 8.4 11.7 (73) Davis 3.

Essendon 5.1 7.2 7.7 11.8 (74) Lloyd 3; Bolton 2; McVeigh 2.

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