Rugby balls lying on the ground during a training session.
IN PHOTO: Rubgy balls and training bibs are seen during a training session as part of the project "Playing for Peace", in Benghazi January 10, 2015. "Playing for Peace" project has the objective of developing players of different age groups. Picture taken January 10, 2015. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

A last minute goal by defender Cale Hooker gave Essendon their first win in five years over rivals Hawthorns in a thrilling contest Sunday at the MCG. Hooker scored with 57 seconds left in the game and Luke Breust’s unopposed shot on goal was two seconds late as the buzzer expired to seal a thrilling 78-76 win for the Bombers.

The Dons were coming off a 12 point loss to the Sydney Swans in Round 1, when they surrendered a 41 point lead to ultimately lose 72-60. And the game followed a similar script Sunday as Essendon took a 35 point lead through the first two quarters, but the Hawks sneaked two goals in before the halftime buzzer sounded, leaving them 22 points behind. The Hawks then dominated the third quarter as the 22 point deficit quickly turned into a 12 point lead, with Jordan Lewis, Shaun Burgoyne and Luke Hodge all playing important roles.

Captain Jobe Watson, Adam Cooney and Michael Hurley were all impressive for the Bombers. Their tackling was strong and it forced the Hawks to make mistakes throughout the first half. Michael Hurley was especially good, keeping Jarryd Roughead to just one goal and making key runs from the back. With 1:20 left in the fourth quarter, Travis Colyer scored to bring the Bombers within four points, and with just under a minute to go, Cale Hooker stunned the Hawks with a snap kick to give the Dons the lead and sent the crowd into a roaring frenzy.

The Hawks tried one last time, pouring numbers forward in search of a last gasp win, but Breust was two seconds late in dropping the ball onto his feet and letting it fly, and the Bombers went into celebration mode for a win watched by members of the 1984-85 championship side.

“Hawthorn filled up with their numbers so I just went down there with the numbers. Lucky enough the ball fell in my lap and it was a sweet feeling to sneak it through,” Cale Hooker said in an interview with Bombers TV, the club’s official channel.

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