A SEVEN-GOAL third term from Essendon against the previously undefeated West Coast has boosted the Bombers' premiership chances and helped them thrash the Eagles by 61 points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Five talking points: Essendon v West Coast
The amazing term of football was inspired Essendon skipper Jobe Watson, and midfielders David Zaharakis and Brent Stanton.
Such was the Bombers' dominance, the Eagles failed to score a goal from the 27-minute mark of the second term until five minutes into the fourth, finally succumbing 16.17 (113) to 7.10 (52).
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They also didn't score successive goals until late in the final stanza.
The result saw the Eagles' unbeaten streak of six games end, and the Bombers continue to control them at the Docklands stadium with nine wins from 11 clashes.
The Bombers' round five one-point loss to Collingwood is the only blight on their 2012 record.
After the match, Essendon coach James Hird praised his midfielders with Watson (36 disposals), Zaharakis (32) and Stanton (36) putting in a consistent contribution this season.
"There's no doubt our midfielders this year have won most of the games we've played in," Hird said.
"They're a very good midfield group, they don’t get the credit they deserve, but the way they play and the way they control the contested football, and the way they did it tonight in the clearances was very pleasing."
The Eagles have had their depth tested all season with players such as Mark LeCras, Andrew Embley, Mark Nicoski and Josh Kennedy out.
The loss of a few more this week appeared to be the tipping point with a handful of young players having minimal impact.
With Ashton Hams' suspension forcing another change, Nic Naitanui failing to recover from a hamstring and Adam Selwood hurting his hand last week, the travelling team regained Mitch Brown and called on debutant Ryan Neates.
Neates had five possessions after starting as the substitute and struggled for opportunities in the forward line.
His involvement started much too early for the Eagles' liking, given he was forced on in the second quarter after midfielder Matt Priddis was concussed in an incident with Nathan Lovett-Murray.
West Coast coach John Worsfold didn't see the contact that concussed Priddis, but expected the midfielder to be right to face St Kilda next Sunday at home.
He also said the lengthy list of unavailable players wasn't the cause of the dramatic score line.
"I wouldn't say [the injuries] have taken a toll tonight but I would say that we got outplayed," Worsfold said.
"Essendon looked sharper and used the ball better, and really that was the key.
"You can't measure what the injuries' effect is, but that's what it was."
The loss of Priddis cut deep on Saturday night with Daniel Kerr being checked by Heath Hocking and Watson excelling at the stoppages.
By half-time, the Essendon captain had six clearances to his name, and ended with 11.
Kerr won the first clearance of the third after a tap from Dean Cox, but Cale Hooker continued to shine and cut it off in defence to kick-start a charge forward, which resulted in a Patrick Ryder goal.
A minute later, the Bombers' forward line pressure forced a turnover, a Lovett-Murray goal, and a game-high lead of 29 points.
The goals continued to rain down, with Stuart Crameri showing no ill effects of the knee he bruised last week, booting three for the game.
Later, Worsfold also dismissed injury concerns involving Scott Selwood and Luke Shuey, despite the latter at times appearing to be irritated by his shoulder.
The Eagles expect Naitanui, Adam Selwood, Will Schofield and Ash Smith to be available for selection next week.
ESSENDON 1.6 5.10 12.14 16.17 (113)
WEST COAST 1.3 3.5 3.7 7.10 (52)
GOALS
Essendon: Crameri 3, Davey 3, Jetta 2, Ryder 2, Stanton 2, Bellchambers, Dyson, Lovett-Murray, Melksham
West Coast: Waters 2, Brennan, Darling, Hill, Kerr, McGinnity
BEST
Essendon: Stanton, Watson, Zaharakis, Hooker, Melksham, Crameri, Fletcher
West Coast: Cox, Kerr, Gaff, Shuey, McGinnity
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
West Coast: Priddis (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Travis Colyer replaced Nathan Lovett-Murray at three-quarter time
West Coast: Ryan Neates replaced Matt Priddis (concussion) in the second quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stewart, Fila, Meredith
Official crowd: 43,260 at Etihad Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
