ESSENDON showed a new level of attacking power on Sunday afternoon, blitzing West Coast in a ruthless first half to set up a 52-point win at Mineral Resources Park.

The Bombers kicked the opening nine goals of the game to build a 56-point lead before notching the second win of their first AFLW season, 13.6 (84) to 4.8 (32).

It was an opening rampage that caught the Eagles off guard and ensured the match was over before the main break, with the Bombers slowing down thereafter but never challenged.

  They controlled the stoppages and then moved the ball quickly through the middle of the ground, with their forwards putting the finishing touches on with some excellent set shot kicking.

EAGLES v BOMBERS Full match coverage and stats

West Coast got on top and turned the match into an arm wrestle in the second half, winning a low-scoring third quarter on the back of a midfield recovery led by brilliant captain Emma Swanson.

But the Bombers added three of the last goals to restore their big lead, making a statement early in their first AFLW season.  

First-year ruck Steph Wales was one the stars of the Bombers' first-half, kicking three goals, including a running effort from 40m, a long-range set shot and another from a pack mark in the goal square.

Gun midfielders Maddie Prespakis (22 disposals and two goals) and Steph Cain (15 and four clearances) were instrumental, while forward Daria Bannister was strong in the air and sharp with her kicking, booting two goals.

Jacqui Vogt (15 and a goal) spent time at both ends of the ground and was impressive, while draftee Paige Scott booted three goals. 

West Coast draftee Ella Roberts showed why she was such an exciting addition for the club with 17 disposals (13 contested) and five clearances, with Swanson (25 and eight clearances) consistent throughout.  

The Eagles lacked the strength in the air and defensive prowess to slow down the attacking Bombers when it mattered, however, falling to 1-2 to start the season.

Wales stands tall
The Eagles would not want to see the vision of Steph Wales' second goal again, after the Bombers' ruck marked in the goalsquare while surrounded by five Eagles opponents in the first quarter. The 188cm youngster used her height and plucked the mark without a single Eagle attempting to spoil. It helped build early momentum for the Bombers, with Wales going on to kick a third first-half goal when she converted on the run from 40m.

WEST COAST         0.2    2.3    3.6      4.8 (32)
ESSENDON            5.2    9.4    10.4    13.6 (84)   

GOALS
West Coast: Schmidt 2, Cameron, McCarthy
Essendon: Wales 3, Scott 3, Prespakis 2, Bannister 2, Wuetschner 2, Vogt

BEST
West Coast: Swanson, Roberts, Schmidt, McCarthy, McDonald   
Essendon: Prespakis, Wales, Bannister, Vogt, Cain, Scott, Wuetschner 

INJURIES
West Coast: Nil  
Essendon: Nil

Reports: Nil