West Coast have run out comfortable winners against the Bombers on Thursday night.
Eagles gave up a quarter-time lead to the Bombers before blowing their inexperienced opponents away with a nine-goal-to-two final term, to win 20.10 (130) to 7.10 (52).
Andrew Gaff worked tirelessly to gather 35 disposals and kick two goals. Luke Shuey had 27 touches and 11 clearances and really came into his own after quarter-time.
Patrick McGinnity was outstanding on his return to the side with a career-best four goals. He had only once before kicked multiple goals in his seven-year, 91-game career. Josh Kennedy and Mark Hutchings kicked three goals apiece while Jeremy McGovern was resolute in defence.
Craig Bird was excellent for the Bombers with 26 disposals and eight tackles. Zach Merrett had 24 touches, laid 11 tackles and had seven clearances.
Joe Daniher kicked three of the Bombers seven goals while James Gwilt did a good job down back.
The Bombers were very impressive in the opening term. They smashed the Eagles in the clearances 15-9 and the centre clearances 5-1 to set up a three-point lead at quarter-time.
Leuenberger dominated the ruck with support from Brendon Goddard as an effective third-man-up. Bird and the two Merretts, Zach and Jackson were all busy at the coalface.
But coach John Worsfold lamented his midfielders being passive at the stoppages in the second term and the Bombers also let themselves down with their ball use at times.
Compounding Essendon’s loss was the injury and report of Jamar. He was booked for striking Jeremy McGovern with a right elbow in the third term and will have a nervous wait this week. He also suffered a hamstring injury shortly after.
David Zaharakis had a frustrating night as he was well held by Hutchings and Jackson Nelson. He also may face scrutiny for punching Nelson in the stomach in the second term.
"I asked the players if they felt better after those incidents and giving a free kick away against their teammates and you can imagine the response I got," Worsfold said.
"We got beaten in that area of discipline and mental toughness and that's disappointing as well."
The Eagles were slow to get going and would be frustrated by their performance in the midfield in the opening quarter, but they controlled the ball well thereafter and finished strongly in typical fashion.
MEDICAL ROOM
West Coast: The Eagles escaped injury free.
Essendon: Jamar came off shortly after he was reported in the third term and had ice applied immediately to his left hamstring. He took no further part in the match and Worsfold expected him to miss next week at least. Matthew Leuenberger had his left knee assessed in the third term and Worsfold was concerned post-match. "Leuenberger, at this stage, looks unlikely that he'll be right next week, but who knows. We'll hope for the best," he said.
NEXT UP West Coast host North Melbourne on Sunday week at Domain Stadium in a game that will help shape the top-eight. The Bombers face St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on the same day.
WEST COAST 3.4 8.5 11.7 20.10 (130)
ESSENDON 4.1 5.5 5.9 7.10 (52)
GOALS
West Coast: McGinnity 4, Kennedy 3, Hutchings 3, Darling 2, Cripps 2, Gaff 2, Priddis, Shuey, LeCras, Yeo
Essendon: Daniher 3, Goddard, Dempsey, Brown, Fantasia
BEST
West Coast: Gaff, Shuey, Priddis, McGinnity, Masten, McGovern
Essendon: Z Merrett, Kelly, Daniher, J Merrett, Bird
INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Essendon: Jamar (left hamstring), Leuenberger (knee)
Reports: Mark Jamar for striking Jeremy McGovern during the third quarter
Umpires: Farmer, Margetts, Deboy, Wallace
Official crowd: 33,117 at the Domain Stadium
