Dons fail to take chances

ESSENDON’S rollercoaster season looks all but over — and so might be the year of star midfielder Andrew McGrath — after a brave attempt to bring down West Coast fell short on Tuesday night.

The Bombers matched the Eagles in many statistical areas, but not on the scoreboard, leaving coach John Worsfold to lament missed opportunities in the 15-point loss at the Gabba.

The Bombers had to make do without McGrath for the second half after he suffered an ankle injury, while West Coast lost prime-mover Luke Shuey to a hamstring injury.

Shuey pulled up sore in the third term and had a fitness assessment at three-quarter time.

He got the go-ahead to return, but limped from the field late in the game.

West Coast’s Liam Ryan and Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti both kicked four goals.

The Eagles led at every change, though they squandered a 34-point lead midway through the second quarter as Essendon surged to within nine points in the third term.

Worsfold was frustrated by the 6.9 scoreline, but backed his players.

“All players have routines they think gives them the best chance to kick goals,” Worsfold said.

“We’ll back them. We created enough opportunities to score, but didn’t take them.”

He said it was great to see

Dyson Heppell return. “He’s the captain for a reason — everyone loves him, and everyone loves having him out there,” Worsfold said.

Playing his first game since fracturing an ankle in June and only his second for the season, Heppell ignited a second-quarter revival with his only kick of the first half.

The 28-year-old won possession at ground level inside the Bombers’ forward 50m.

Moments later he found himself on the end of a Matt Guelfi handpass to swing on to his left and slot a goal. It dragged the Bombers within 28 points. After goals from McDonald-Tipungwuti and James Stewart, the margin was sliced to 16 points at the long break.

Heppell had five opponents in the first half, including midfield dynamos Andrew Gaff and Dom Sheed.

A piece of Heppell brilliance brought about Joe Daniher’s first set shot of the night.

Heppell pulled off a visionary dish-off over his head, which led to Daniher marking inside forward 50m. Instead of using the allocated 30 seconds to shoot for goal, the 26-yearold played on.

And he made a meal of it — as he did so with a set shot from 20m that would have cut the margin to 10 points midway through the third term.

Daniher bagged three goals in his return match last round, though he at least presented the Bombers with a formidable target all the way to half-back.

He finished with three behinds from six kicks, and half a dozen marks.