AFL 2024 round five LIVE updates: Young Dons fire to overpower Bulldogs

The Bombers have scored a memorable win and raised some serious questions about the prospects of the Western Bulldogs this season after a 29-point win.

Sam Durham, Zach Merrett and Xaiver Duursma were among many winners for the Dons who score the win in front of the first 50,000 strong crowd between the two clubs since 2013.

Sam Darcy has shown some agility to soccer the ball between two diving defenders and kick his first goal of the night.

The Dogs are getting a bit chippy with their opponents but the scoreboard shows Essendon will get an easy win.

Dons 96, Dogs 60 with seven mins to go.

Now Jake Stringer is getting into the fun.

The former Bulldog got on the lead and pulled in a mark before kicking his second goal.

The lead is now 43 points. Huge night for Essendon.

Dons 96, Dogs 53 with 10 mins to go.

Xavier Duursma has roosted another goal from distance.

The new Bomber took no time to fire off the most excited of arrows as per his trademark celebration.

He followed it with a pump of the fist. This win will mean plenty to these Bombers – if they can hold on.

Dons 90, Dogs 53 with 11 mins to go .

Sam Durham roved the ball from the pack and snapped another crucial goal.

The Dons are almost home.

The Dogs bench has held up a dice sign to their players….final role of the dice anyone?

Dons 84, Dogs 53 with 12 mins to go.

Jade Gresham has had to bide his time tonight but he pounced on the ball on that last play as Davey’s kick to the middle was hit into the ground after spoil from Jones stopped a certain intercept mark.

Gresham ran onto the ball and snapped the ball into an open goal square.

Dons 78, Dogs 53 with 14 mins to go.

Two young Bombers have combined for their latest goal with Ben Hobbs snapping a kick towards Harrison Jones.

He took a diving mark and then kicked the goal.

Huge moment for Essendon but they are not home yet.

Dons 72, Dogs 53 with 15 mins to go.

Nick Hind has been subbed into the match for the last term. He should give the Dons some speed and drive.

Jye Menzie was the player subbed out.

Ugle-Hagan took a great mark but missed his shot at goal.

Dons 66, Dogs 53 with 17 mins to go in Q4.

In a quarter notable chiefly for sloppy football all round, the Bombers added an increment to their half-time lead. Their two goals told the story.

One was from a Draper miskick that fell into Harrison Jones’ arms, the other from an advantage gained when four Bulldogs could not get out of each other’s way when contesting a mark with Stringer.

But the Dons were willing workers, and at the other end, the opportunity-starved Dogs had only Ugle-Hagan’s goal to show.

The alarm bells are ringing.