Essendon got a taste of life without their banned stars on Sunday as they were smashed to the tune of 105 points by the West Coast Eagles in the final game of the 2016 NAB Challenge.
Thirteen Eagles hit the scoreboard against the Bombers who while they saw some promising performances were way off being competitive.
Final score
West Coast Eagles 1.23.11 158
Essendon Bombers 0.7.11 53
The West Coast Eagles and Essendon Bombers are looking to finish off the NAB Challenge with a victory when they clash at Domain Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:10pm (AEDT).
Both Essendon and West Coast have one win and one blowout loss for the NAB Challenge.
While pre-season form is nothing to get too worked up about, the Bombers would take some encouragement from their ten-goal victory over Carlton in Week 2, whereas the Eagles may be slightly concerned about barely scraping past an undermanned Gold Coast side last week.
West Coast will be buoyed by the return of finals standout Luke Shuey, who is set to play after recovering from a knock to the knee. Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy is also likely to suit up despite copping a knock to the head that this week caused him to say, “I went a bit dazey there in the second term and couldn’t remember too much.”
Every concussion should be treated with the utmost caution, therefore it seems unwise the Eagles would risk Kennedy receiving another head-knock in a meaningless pre-season game.
Off-season acquisition Jack Redden will play his first game in West Coast colours after battling adductor problems this summer. Conversely, the Eagles’ other new recruit, Lewis Jetta, will rest his ailing calf in order to be fit for Round 1.
For the Bombers, second-year utility Jayden Laverde is out after rolling an ankle against Geelong last week, but he should be ready for Round 1. Similarly, Ryan Crowley and Darcy Parish, the number five pick in last year’s draft, will both be rested from the trip west after pulling up sore.
Free-agent pickup Matthew Leuenberger will not play despite training well in recent weeks. A healthy Leuenberger could play a large role in keeping this shell of an Essendon team competitive throughout 2016, however the big man is a constant injury-risk, having missed significant time in three of the past four seasons.
In better news, ex-Cats James Kelly and Matthew Stokes will play their first competitive games for the Bombers, while Joe Daniher and new captain Brendon Goddard also returns after being rested last week.
Players to watch
West Coast: Jack Redden (provided he is fit). Coming off another solid season, the ex-Lion needs to provide midfield depth. Expect Redden to be a valuable addition, as he will provide world-class tackling and pressure, while consistently gathering 20-plus disposals.
Essendon: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. The Essendon list is not exactly overflowing with talent, so why not go with the rookie-listed back-man who probably wouldn’t be getting this opportunity if certain shady activities hadn’t taken place in 2012.
As well as the crunching hit he laid on Patrick Dangerfield last week, the man nicknamed ‘Walla’ used his 12 possessions at 92 per cent efficiency to be one of the only bright spots for the Bombers in a big defeat.
Prediction
All signs point to another big loss for Essendon, in what shapes as a season full of them.
West Coast 114-35 Essendon
Brinnx
Guest
Only pre-season but oh my the sign's are ominous for the bombers.
Steve White
Roar Pro
That's it for The Roar's coverage of the 2016 NAB Challenge! Pre-season footy is done and dusted and now we can all look forward to the real thing! Thanks guys, hope you all join The Roar for our live coverage of the season proper in a couple of weeks time!
Steve White
Roar Pro
Essendon Notes: - Joe Daniher was the Bombers best, finishing with 18 touches, 8 marks (3 contested), and 10 inside 50s. He'll play a lot further up the ground this year it seems. - Mark Baguley was typically solid in defence with 20 disposals at 85% with 8 marks, 6 tackles and 6 rebound 50s - Ex-Cat Matthew Stokes looked good with 28 possessions (10 contested) at 89% efficiency - Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti continued his nice pre-season with 16 touches at 81% with 8 marks. You'd think he has probably shown enough to line up for Round 1 - Brendon Goddard was disappointing, too often hovering around the back of a player who had just taken a mark looking for cheap kicks. There's a good chance Goddard's leadership faces a bit of scrutiny this season
Steve White
Roar Pro
West Coast Notes: - Priddis probably best on ground with his typically sharp handballs creating a lot of play for the Eagles. Final statline looks like this: 33 possessions (18 contested), 7 clearances, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 assists - Jack Darling played all over the ground and was impressive with 23 touches at 83%, 8 marks, 5 clearances, 3 goals, 2 assists - Naitanui dominated the ruck all day with 24 hitouts, many of them to advantage, and provided multiple scintillating moments - The defence led by Brad Sheppard (26 touches, 12 marks) looked solid, Eric Mackenzie got through another game unscathed as he continues his comeback after missing all of last year - Jeremy McGovern alternated between defence and attack, looking equally comfortable with both and finishing with 16 touches, 9 marks, and 3 goals. McGovern's ability to play either end of the ground is a huge weapon for the Eagles this year - New recruit Jack Redden was relatively quiet but would be happy to get through most of the game after a summer hampered by injuries
Steve White
Roar Pro
FULL TIME Pretty much what you'd expect from this game with the likely wooden-spooners Essendon going down by 105 points to last seasons runners-up West Coast. WEST COAST 158 ESSENDON 53
Steve White
Roar Pro
Shaun Mckernan takes a one-handed mark but sprays the set shot out on the full. WEST COAST 158 ESSENDON 53
Steve White
Roar Pro
GOAL EAGLES Eagles have open men everywhere up forward and find Kennedy who kicks another. WEST COAST 158 ESSENDON 53
Steve White
Roar Pro
BEHIND BOMBERS McKenna with a nice gather of a tough bouncing ball but can't finish with a goal. WEST COAST 152 ESSENDON 53
Steve White
Roar Pro
GOAL BOMBERS Daniher marks and receives a 50m penalty after being dragged down, he finally kicks a well deserved goal. WEST COAST 152 ESSENDON 52
Steve White
Roar Pro
GOAL BOMBERS Good steal and assist from McDonald-Tipungwuti with Cooney finishing the job with a goal. WEST COAST 152 ESSENDON 46
Steve White
Roar Pro
BEHIND BOMBERS Strong mark from Joe Daniher in the pocket from a Zaharakis kick. The set shot hits the post though. WEST COAST 152 ESSENDON 40
Steve White
Roar Pro
GOAL EAGLES Another turnover from the Bombers and Gaff goals. WEST COAST 152 ESSENDON 39
Steve White
Roar Pro
BEHIND EAGLES Long kick inside 50 from Priddis drops perfectly for Kennedy who hits the post with the set shot. WEST COAST 146 ESSENDON 39
Steve White
Roar Pro
GOAL EAGLES Another clinical build up from the Eagles as they chip it around until space opens up for LeCras to lead into. WEST COAST 145 ESSENDON 39
Steve White
Roar Pro
BEHIND BOMBERS McDonald-Tipungwuti misses a snap from the boundary. He's played up forward a fair bit in the second half and has shown good ball use and decision making for the most part. WEST COAST 139 ESSENDON 39
Steve White
Roar Pro
BEHIND EAGLES James Kelly with no awareness as he is run down in the back pocket by Duggan who sprays the set shot wide. WEST COAST 139 ESSENDON 38
Steve White
Roar Pro
3 QUARTER TIME The margin sits at an even 100 points with the Eagles far too good. WEST COAST 138 ESSENDON 38
Steve White
Roar Pro
GOAL BOMBERS Good passage of play through the middle of the ground started by Zach Merrett's kick inboard. Jamar completes the scoring chain with a mark and goal. WEST COAST 138 ESSENDON 38
Steve White
Roar Pro
BEHIND AND GOAL EAGLES LeCras just misses from the boundary but Goddard turns it over in the back pocket after the kick in and McGovern goals. WEST COAST 138 ESSENDON 32
Steve White
Roar Pro
BEHIND EAGLES Another lovely hand off from Priddis and Bennell misses from outside 50 as McGovern tries to shepherd it through. WEST COAST 131 ESSENDON 32