Boom Bombers recruit Dylan Shiel has lead Essendon to a crucial seven-point win against Fremantle on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.
But the victory didn't come without a scare, as Fremantle fought back from 26 points late in the final term.
Former Giant Shiel finished with two goals – his first in red and black – to go along with 25 disposals as the Bombers kept their finals chances alive with a 8.12 (60) to 7.11 (53) victory.
Midfielder David Mundy gallant for Fremantle, collecting 34 disposals, nine clearances and kicking a goal in a vintage performance.
In a low-scoring match under the roof, both sides squandered chances in front of goal but it was the Bombers who held sway at the final siren to break a run of three consecutive losses.
Another defeat would have all but ended Essendon's season, but the Bombers now sit in 11th spot, just percentage out of the top eight.
The Dockers are eighth.
The finish was nervy for Essendon. After taking a 26 point lead midway through the fourth term, Michael Walters and Jesse Hogan both converted truly after winning frees directly in front of goal to give Fremantle a late sniff.
Then Brandon Matera won a free of his own and put it through to bring the margin back to eight points.
Hogan had another chance with just over a minute left but his snap missed, and that proved costly.
Captain Dyson Heppell and Kyle Langford fought hard in the guts while Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis and Darcy Parish won their fair share of the ball.
It’s hard to grasp where Fremantle sits in the pecking order, having looked sublime in successful outings against North Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney but disappointing last week against Richmond, and not being any better against the Dons.
Scoring proved to be an issue once again, failing to reach 60 points for the fourth time in 2019.
In the clinches, Nat Fyfe was immense, finishing with 24 disposals and a mammoth 22 contested possessions, and the evergreen David Mundy continued what has been another fine campaign.
Spearhead Joe Daniher was also involved in that patch with a fantastic mark but he and Josh Begley were wasteful, both finishing with 0.4.
MEDICAL ROOM
Essendon: Nothing to report here.
Fremantle: Early on, defender Joel Hamling went to the bench with blood streaming down his head, but he came back out soon enough.
NEXT UP
Fremantle will look to break a three-game losing streak when it's back home to take on the 6-3 Brisbane in the Sunday twilight slot. Next Saturday night will be the Dreamtime at the 'G blockbuster between traditional rivals Essendon and Richmond.
ESSENDON 1.3 3.7 5.11 8.12 (60)
FREMANTLE 2.3 3.5 4.9 7.11 (53)
GOALS
Essendon: McDonald-Tipungwuti 3, Shiel 2, Zaharakis, Stringer, Francis
Fremantle: Matera 2, Langdon, Tucker, Mundy, Walters, Hogan
BEST
Essendon: Heppell, Langford, Shiel, Hooker, Merrett, McDonald-Tipungwuti
Fremantle: Fyfe, Mundy, Blakely, Hill, Conca
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
Fremantle: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Nicholls, Whetton
Official crowd: 29,176 at Marvel Stadium
