LeCras was simply dominant in helping his side to a 20.12 (132) to 14.16 (100) win.
While the blowtorch is off West Coast coach John Worsfold following his team’s first win since round eight, the result is certain to raise the already-intense pressure on Bombers coach Matthew Knights.
But really, Knights was a helpless victim at Etihad Stadium as the Eagles’ one-man show destroyed a red and black unit hoping to get back on track against a team on the bottom of the ladder.
Fans of both sides were treated to a smorgasbord of highlights from LeCras. His goal tally set a new record for Etihad Stadium as he dispatched several opponents and slotted goals from almost every position in and around the 50m arc.
He kicked beautifully, having four at the first change, seven by half time and he brought up his 10th just 18 minutes into the third term.
His 11th, which came five minutes into the final term, was a well-crafted get and give and finished with a superb snap. By that point, even Bomber fans were begrudgingly applauding.
He nailed his 12th with a typically smooth set shot with less than four minutes remaining.
Essendon’s big guns Jobe Watson, Paddy Ryder and Brent Stanton - despite managing a couple of late goals - simply didn’t have an impact. Only youngster Travis Colyer (26 disposals, two goals) put up any great resistance.
The Eagles’ had the lively Ashton Hams (18 touches, three goals), midfielders Matt Priddis (33 disposals, nine clearances) and Andrew Embley (25).
But most importantly they had LeCras, whose 12.2 from 22 disposals - which included 12 marks - will long be remembered as one of the great games.
Worsfold rated LeCras’ performance among the best in the history of the club but said it wasn’t just his star forward’s contribution that made the night so special.
“I was really pleased with a lot of aspects of the game tonight, flowing on from a good effort at home last week,” he said.
“We’ve had a few good efforts at home but we haven’t been able to win and often they’ve been followed up with fairly disappointing efforts away.
“So it was a step forward for us to back it up and travel to this ground and perform a lot better than we have recently.”
As for the contest itself, the match was an open, free-flowing affair but there were plenty of errors - especially from the Bombers.
The Eagles led by three points at the first change but, on the back of their match winner, extended that to 14 at half time. LeCras booted a banana - his sixth goal - during the second quarter and jagged his seventh just before the long interval.
He was forced to leave the field mid-way through the third term as a result of the blood rule but by that stage the game was pretty much beyond reach for Essendon.
It was out to six goals at the last break and Knights, perhaps with a few heckles from impatient fans, walked onto the turf to address his players with some venom.
The Dons did manage to salvage some respectability with some late goals however the Eagles also peppered the sticks and cruised to a rare away win.
Knights said as senior coach he expected the criticism that had come over the past week, and was prepared for another torrid week following his team’s sixth straight loss.
“I’ve just got to be able to absorb that and be resilient,” Knights said.
“[It’s] similar to last week. Front up, do what I need to do, work with the players. It’s not about me - it’s about the Essendon Football Club and the players.”
The Bombers have a week to regroup before facing North Melbourne at the same venue, while West Coast returns to Subiaco with a spring in its step next week and will host Carlton.
Essendon 4.2 8.7 10.11 14.16 (100)
West Coast 4.5 10.9 16.11 20.12 (132)
GOALS
Essendon: Stanton 3, Colyer 2, Lonergan 2, Davey, Gumbleton, Howlett, Monfries, Neagle, Ryder, Zaharakis
West Coast: LeCras 12, Hams 3, Embley, Kennedy, Naitanui, Priddis, Strijk
BEST
Essendon: Colyer, Howlett, Lonergan, Reimers
West Coast: LeCras, Priddis, Hams, Embley, Ebert, Kennedy, Hurn
INJURIES
Essendon: Nil
West Coast: Nil
Reports: Mackenzie (West Coast) reported by field umpire Schmitt for rough conduct against Neagle (Essendon) in the second quarter
Umpires: McLaren, Schmitt, Hay
Official crowd: 26,991 at Etihad Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
