Essendon’s AFLW side suffered a nine-point defeat to West Coast in its first and final practice match at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday. 

The Eagles started hot, kicking the first three goals of the game and dominating the play, making the Bombers work for every possession. 

Co-captain Steph Cain broke the drought for Essendon, kicking their first goal just after the quarter-time break. 

Cain and fellow midfielder Maddy Prespakis were the catalyst for the Bombers’ comeback, with their ruthless efforts at contests, winning plenty of footy to send the ball into attack. 

Georgia Nanscawen also was impactful in her second game back from ACL injury, extracting the ball at stoppages and providing tackle pressure across the ground. 

Essendon’s defenders worked hard to stop forward entries from the home side, with new recruits Georgia Clarke and Brooke Brown instrumental in keeping the Eagles scoreless in the second term. 

Stepping up to the tempo in the second quarter, the Bombers scored back-to-back goals through Daria Bannister and Sophie Alexander to reduce the Eagles’ lead to one-point heading into the main break.  

Minutes into the third quarter, Alexander hit the board with her second, giving the Bombers the lead for the first time. 

Cain took her game to another level in the second half, using her explosive speed to break away contests and from her opponents. 

Alana Barba came on in the second half, showing her determined spirit with every tackle and applying pressure on the West Coast ball carriers. 

Co-Captain Bonnie Toogood pushed up the ground to give the Bombers more firepower heading into attack, while Paige Scott was physical in the air, taking multiple contested marks. 

The Bombers' momentum didn’t hinder West Coast, with the Eagles taking a one-point lead into the final term. 

Both teams came out firing in the fourth, with a strong tackle from Toogood setting the tone. 

Various changes were made throughout the second half, with multiple defensive lineups trialed, including Kodi Jacques, Danielle Marshall, Sophie Van De Heuvel and Brooke Walker all rotated through the backline. 

West Australian product Matilda Dyke had her first outing in the red and black, supporting Steph Wales in the ruck while also transitioning onto the wing and down back. 

Amber Clarke hit the board to give Essendon the lead again, but the Eagles continued fighting, pilling on multiple goals to claim the nine-point victory. 

The Bombers will now return home with a focus on Round One when they face Hawthorn at Kinetic Stadium, Frankston on Saturday, September 2 from 7:00pm.