With big defenders required on Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker, James Stewart has a size advantage on his opponent(s). In the first half Sam Butler and Brad Sheppard spent time on Stewart. 

In defence Michael Hartley has the job on Jack Kennedy and Matt Dea is on Jack Darling.

Joe Daniher kicked two goals in the opening five minutes of the match, but the Eagles were able to keep pace. Three of West Coast’s first four scores came from Essendon turnovers.

The defensive pressure that was a feature in the Dons win over Geelong was again prominent in the early exchanges against the Eagles. Essendon recorded 23 pressure acts in their forward 50 during the first 15 minutes. At the same time the Eagles had nine.

Essendon’s fifth goal of the opening term came from Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s sixth rundown tackle this year – that’s number one in the AFL.

The Dons kicked the opening five goals in a blistering start to the second term.  The run of goals included a run down tackle of Sam Mitchell that led to Joe Daniher's fourth goal of the opening half and a left foot snap from the boundary by Orazio Fantasia.

Essendon had 60 more possessions than the Eagles in the first half to take a commanding lead into the major break.