ESSENDON has notched up its third win for the season with a 22-point win over West Coast at Telstra Dome, 16.17 (113) to 13.13 (91).
The home side was slow out of the blocks, with West Coast kicking four goals in succession in the first quarter.
Bombers forward Scott Lucas struggled early, making several costly and unforced turnovers. He hit his strides when he booted a goal at the 24-minute mark of the first term but his game waned as his lack of match conditioning showed.
Fellow forwards Matthew Lloyd and Adam McPhee were also in amongst it without it showing on the scoreboard.
Lloyd finished with just two goals but found a return to form of sorts, with his work further up from goal.
McPhee had a lightning start to the game, forcing Eagles coach John Worsfold to move fourth-gamer Ryan Davis off him after a strong first term.
Chris Masten was prominent early for West Coast, as were defenders-cum-forwards Adam Hunter and Brent Staker.
Onballer Matt Priddis was well held on the night by Andrew Welsh. Welsh has made a name for himself as a tagger this year and with Daniel Kerr a late withdrawal, Priddis struggled with his role as the prime target in West Coast’s midfield.
Essendon’s most influential player was ruckman David Hille.
Hille worked well in the middle and caused problems when he pushed forward.
He dominated the Eagles’ star ruckman Dean Cox, both in effective hitouts and around the ground.
Hille was well supported by Jason Laycock, while Jobe Watson was constantly at the ruckmen’s feet.
Kyle Reimers provided plenty of run for Essendon on the wing and played with the intensity and aggression that is fast making him a cult figure at Windy Hill.
The West Coast side had few standouts on the night.
David Wirrpanda was dangerous as an unlikely key forward. He made life tough difficult for Henry Slattery and finished with four goals.
Andrew Embley lurked for the Eagles across half-forward and looked dangerous but missed plenty of chances.
Wirrpanda booted the first two goals of the second quarter to give West Coast the lead but the Bombers got it back before the break.
It was goal for goal throughout the third quarter, but Essendon seemed the superior side, going into the final break with a two-goal lead.
The Bombers set the tone in the final quarter with a quick early goal to Adam Ramanauskas.
But the highlight came at the seven-minute mark when Lloyd whipped the Bomber crowd into a frenzy by taking a spectacular mark over Beau Wilkes.
Lloyd went on to kick the goal and his partner in crime, Lucas, joined the party minutes later with a spectacular snap over his shoulder.
West Coast continued to chip away through Mark LeCras who booted three final-quarter goals, but it was not enough as the Bombers notched up their third win of the season.Essendon 4.6 7.11 11.4 16.17 (113)
West Coast 4.1 6.6 9.11 13.13 (91)
GOALS
Essendon: Hille 3, Lucas 3, Neagle 3, Lloyd 2, Laycock, Lovett-Murray, Monfries, Ramanauskas, Reimers.
West Coast: Wirrpanda 4, LeCras 3, Hunter 3, Embley, Wilkes, Staker
BEST
Essendon: Hille, Reimers, Watson, Lonergan, Welsh, McPhee
West Coast: Wirrpanda, Embley, LeCras, Selwood, Stenglein,
INJURIES
Essendon: Lovett (gastro) replaced in selected side by Atkinson
West Coast: Kerr (calf) replaced in selected side by McNamara
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Chamberlain, Jeffery
Official crowd: 33,386 at Telstra Dome