Bombers playing well of late, Yeo returns to the Eagles lineup. A great mark by Hooker early in the wet conditions, in a good 1st quarter. The Eagles kick away in the 2nd, 9 goals without a blemish, the umpiring very suspect though. Perkins looking like a good young player, Stringer with a big goal. Kelly and Allen off for the Eagles, the Bombers bringing the deficit back to 3 points heading into the last. Point after point for the Bombers, but still good enough to bring it home, winning the unwinnable at Optus verse West Coast. Stringer big down the stretch and the youngsters playing well. Parish's rise has taken the team to another level though and the team's using the ball much better, along with some good off-season picks and the pickup of Hind. The Eagles dominating the hit-outs, even in the clearances, the Bombers with more disposal and more tackles and 12 more inside 50's, creating 9 more scoring shots. The Eagles high accuracy on goal not enough here. Parish best afield, with 36 disposals, 11 clearances, 5 inside 50's, 5 intercepts and 502 metres gained. Naitanui 20 disposals, 40 hit-outs, 7 clearances, 6 tackles and 6 intercepts for the Eagles. Langford 28 disposals, 5 inside 50's, a goal and 2 assists. Heppell and Tippa also among the best.
3. (Ess) D. Parish, 2. (Wce) N. Naitanui, 1. (Ess) K. Langford.
3. (Ess) D. Parish, 2. (Wce) N. Naitanui, 1. (Ess) K. Langford.