causing a turnover in its forward line, but Rioli's shot went out on the full. Fletcher then kicked his second goal of the quarter from a 60m set shot, restoring a 14 point advantage for Essendon. The Bulldogs then had the best of the final part of the quarter. After a behind to Brad Johnson and another to Jose Romero, Brad Johnson kicked the last two goals of the quarter to even the score. For the first, Liberatore made a goal-saving tacking against Darren Bewick on the centre wing, won the ball, and rebounded to Johnson; and for the second, an attacking effort by Paul Hudson and Trent Bartlett ended in Johnson's hands. Johnson had yet another chance, but his 50m set shot fell short for no score. A few seconds before the half time siren, Essendon's John Barnes knocked Johnson down off the ball with a hip-and-shoulder to the head, sparking an all-in brawl before the players left the field for half time. With the scores tied at 7.3 (45) apiece, Wallace was pleased with the performance, and with the frustration that it was evidently causing the Essendon players. Third quarter Essendon attacked from the first centre bounce, Gary Moorcroft having two early chances and managing one behind, and Jason Johnson kicking another. The teams traded behinds for a while, and Brad Johnson made a retaliatory strike to the back of John Barnes' head in a marking contest, although no further incident was sparked by it. The Bulldogs then kicked the first two goals of the quarter, Garlick winning a free kick in the forward pocket and Bartlett kicking a goal on a running rebound play, to open a ten point advantage after four consecutive goals. Thereafter, Essendon controlled the quarter. Fletcher kicked his third goal from a 45m set shot – the equal-most goals he ever kicked in a game over his 400-game career – Bewick kicked a goal from a 40m set shot after a phase of passing play in the forwardline, Jason Johnson kicking his second goal after a mark in the goal square, and Justin Blumfield kicking a goal after a spectacular pack mark 40m from goal. At three quarter time, Essendon 11.7 (73) led the Bulldogs 9.4 (58) by 15 points. Final quarter Essendon kicked the opening goal of the final quarter after Blumfield won a contested mark in the forward pocket and after