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Wright puts Bombers back in front
Big man Peter Wright has kicked a goal for the Bombers after pulling in a contested mark and kicking the goal from just outside the goal square.
There have been at least four lead changes this quarter, Freo should be in front but they trail yet again.
Dons up 32-29 with three mins left in Q2.
Peter Wright.Credit:Eddie Jim
Taberner curls in goal
Matt Taberner has shown some deft touch on his left foot to snap a goal from one step.
He started the ball outside the left post but it has curled late to sail into the goals when it looked like going wide.
Dockers lead again, up 29-26 with six mins to go in Q2.
Langford goals for Dons
Essendon is back in it after finally cracking Freo’s zone defence and finding Kyle Langford who led to the ball, marked and kicked the goal.
Freo has caused Essendon all sorts of problems this quarter with their zone defence.
Dons up 26-23 with eight mins until HT.
Freo in front, Laverde back
Adam Cerra is back from injury for the Dockers and the highly-rated young midfielder has just shown some wonderful reflexes and eye-sight to pick up the ball in the goal-square, see a gap to the goal and kicking a grubber kick into the goals.
Laverde is back on, if he had a concussion test he must have passed it very quickly.
Freo leads 23-20 with 11 mins left in Q2.
Laverde off again
Jayden Laverde is on the bench again, he took another knock in a marking contest and appears to be undergoing a concussion test so he will be sitting out for the next 20 minutes or so.
This has been a very scrappy start to the second term with neither side able to kick a goal yet, Freo has been locking the Dons in their defensive half.
Dons up 20-16 with 13 mins left in Q2.
QT: Essendon 3.2 (20) to Fremantle 2.2 (14)
The Dons made a flying start taking a 19-point lead but the Dockers built momentum as the quarter went on and ended the term right in this match.
In their best moments, the Bombers are running in numbers and hitting Harrison Jones and their forwards in dangerous positions.
But Freo has Nat Fyfe and Andrew Brayshaw winning plenty of footy, they are right up for this match.
Will Snelling gets the ball ahead of Taylin Duman.Credit:Getty Images
Laverde coming back
Fox Footy’s Kath Loughnan has reported that Jayden Laverde will return after having his leg strapped and appearing to take some painkillers.
He is running on the sidelines to test things out but Nik Cox is back on the bench.
This will be a relief for Essendon.
Jayden Laverde is helped off the field.Credit:Getty Images
Taberner goals
The Dockers are up and running now with full-forward Matt Taberner taking a mark and kicking truly from the pocket.
Essendon needs to lift again as the Dockers are up for this match.
Dons up 20-14 with four mins left in Q1.
Lobb with the team lifter
Fremantle big man Rory Lobb has kicked a team-lifting goal taking mark outside 50m and then kicking the goal.
He is an impressive talent when he makes plays like this.
Considering it is barely 11.30am in WA right now, they are doing well to wake up and get into this contest.
Dons up 20-8 with seven mins left in Q1.
Laverde off injured
Essendon defender Jayden Laverde has been helped from the field by two trainers after coming down with a foot injury.
It’s unclear how he hurt it but he was struggling to put weight on it.
He has gone straight to the rooms.
The Bombers hoped young gun Nik Cox could get a rest today while being the medical sub but it looks like he could be called into the game in the first quarter should Laverde be unable to return.