Jack Redden got through his first game for West Coast unscathed as the Eagles romped to a 105-point win over Essendon in the final NAB Challenge game of 2016.
The Eagles cruised to a 1.23.11 (158) to 0.7.11 (53) win in brutal conditions, with the temperature nudging 40 degrees at Domain Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Redden was set for limited minutes but he played in all four quarters before being rested late.
All of the Eagles' stars had big days with the game resembling a training drill at times.
Nic Naitanui was dominant in the ruck with some trademark silver service for his midfielders. Matt Priddis and Andrew Gaff collected possessions at will, racking up 61 touches, nine clearances and three goals between them.
Jeremy McGovern started in defence but was swung forward in both halves and kicked three goals. He was one of seven multiple goalkickers as the Eagles forwards cashed in.
The inexperienced Bombers were simply outmuscled and outclassed.
Joe Daniher's endeavour up forward was outstanding all day despite not quite finishing his work in front of goal. He gathered 18 disposals, hauled down eight marks and kicked 1.3.
Geelong premiership player Mathew Stokes was a shining light in his first game as a top-up player for his new club. He collected 28 possessions, 10 of them contested.
Former Hawthorn forward Sam Grimley and former Melbourne ruckman Mark Jamar also worked hard, kicking two goals each.
The Eagles did have a bizarre moment pre-match when they requested extra time to name their final team. Both clubs were given the option of naming extra players under the AFL's heat policy.
The Eagles deliberated for a long time about whether to name Jonathan Giles after he played in a WAFL practice match on Saturday. They eventually named their new recruit in the final side but he did not even suit up in his playing gear, let alone play a single minute of the game.
WHAT WE LEARNED?
West Coast: Liam Duggan and Jackson Nelson are legitimate contenders for the Eagles' best 22. Lewis Jetta, Chris Masten, Dom Sheed and Mark Hutchings are out of action but Duggan started in the centre square and will be hard to dislodge on form. Sharrod Wellingham is the only medium-sized defender missing but Jackson Nelson played ahead of Sam Butler in defence and was outstanding.
Essendon: The Bombers key forward combination of Joe Daniher and Sam Grimley will be a handful at times this season if they get some good supply. Both presented all day and looked dangerous from limited opportunities. They could have kicked seven goals between them if they had been a bit more accurate with their goalkicking.
NEW FACES
West Coast: Jack Redden slotted in seamlessly in his first game for his new club. He gathered 13 disposals, five marks and two clearances and played most of his limited game time in the midfield.
Essendon: Former Cats Mathew Stokes and James Kelly played their first games as top-up players for the Bombers. Stokes was one of the Bombers best. Kelly will be better for the run but still managed to collect 16 touches.
NEXT UP
West Coast hosts the Brisbane Lions at Domain Stadium on Easter Sunday to open the season. The Bombers travel to Metricon Stadium to take on Gold Coast.
WEST COAST 0.7.5 0.13.7 1.20.9 1.23.11 (158)
ESSENDON 0.1.4 0.3.7 0.5.8 0.7.11 (53)
NAB SUPERGOALS
West Coast: Yeo
Essendon: Nil
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 3, Hill 3, McGovern 3, Kennedy 3, LeCras 2, Gaff 2, Priddis, Lycett, Shuey, Yeo, Nelson, Karpany, Duggan
Essendon: Grimley 2, Jamar 2, McKernan, Cooney, Daniher
BEST
West Coast: Naitanui, Gaff, Priddis, Kennedy, Darling, Sheppard, Yeo
Essendon: Stokes, Daniher, Zaharakis, Simpkin, Grimley
INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Rosebury, Foot
Official crowd: 9,210 at Domain Stadium
