West Coast Eagles
106
Match Complete
Essendon
71
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| 26:52 |  | Z. Merrett | ||
| J. Petruccelle |  | 25:02 | ||
| 23:07 | | Rushed | ||
| L. Ryan | | 20:42 | ||
| 17:54 | | M. Brown | ||
| J. Cameron | | 16:45 | ||
| 15:37 | | J. Begley | ||
| M. Hutchings | | 14:32 | ||
| 12:02 | | J. Laverde | ||
| 10:08 | | Rushed | ||
| J. Cripps | | 8:32 | ||
| M. Hutchings | | 6:05 | ||
| J. Redden | | 5:16 | ||
| Rushed | | 3:09 | ||
| 0:53 | | M. Redman | ||
| 11.17 (83) | Third Quarter [+] | 8.1 (49) | ||
| 29:11 | | T. Bellchambers | ||
| L. Ryan | | 21:23 | ||
| J. Petruccelle | | 17:53 | ||
| 15:41 | | D. Shiel | ||
| J. Petruccelle | | 12:59 | ||
| J. Petruccelle | | 11:57 | ||
| J. Darling | | 6:49 | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 4:08 | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 2:11 | ||
| 7.14 (56) | Second Quarter [+] | 6.1 (37) | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 30:31 | ||
| D. Sheed | | 24:45 | ||
| J. Cameron | | 23:46 | ||
| O. Allen | | 23:24 | ||
| 21:51 | | D. Shiel | ||
| 20:14 | | J. Begley | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 18:38 | ||
| 14:34 | | J. Begley | ||
| Rushed | | 13:23 | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 11:38 | ||
| J. Cameron | | 10:09 | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 9:14 | ||
| J. Cameron | | 8:04 | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 6:31 | ||
| J. McGovern | | 5:12 | ||
| O. Allen | | 3:12 | ||
| D. Sheed | | 1:24 | ||
| 3.4 (22) | First Quarter [+] | 4.0 (24) | ||
| J. Redden | | 30:13 | ||
| Rushed | | 29:09 | ||
| E. Yeo | | 27:54 | ||
| 25:17 | | A. McDonald-Tipungwuti | ||
| J. Cripps | | 20:34 | ||
| 18:13 | | D. Parish | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 10:15 | ||
| 8:21 | | J. Laverde | ||
| J. Cripps | | 5:41 | ||
| L. Ryan | | 4:15 | ||
| 1:24 | | A. McGrath | ||
The West Coast Eagles hope to get back into the top-four when they host the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:10pm (AEST).
After an excellent first appearance against the Eagles at Optus, the Bombers will hope history holds some sway when they return tonight as the try to make it three consecutive wins against the reigning premiers overall.
From what we’ve seen so far, though, Essendon have struggled against the A-tier sides, with their biggest scalps being from the eight’s bottom-end in Brisbane and Fremantle.
The Giants, Cats and Magpies have all exposed Essendon’s underdeveloped system, with the Bombers still failing to take wins from struggling sides in Sydney and, debatably, Richmond. At their fortress, and in fifth spot, you’d think West Coast will comfortably join that list.
However, Essendon are one of the best defensive outfits in the competition – conceding the fewest average points since Round 4 (66.1), with the next four being first to fourth on the ladder.
Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley are both in All-Australian form. Across the league, Hooker sits third in average marks (8.7) and Hurley in fourth (8.6); Hooker is sixth for intercept possessions (8.6) and Hurley is fourth in rebound (7.2).
Dylan Clarke has also proved a rare commodity for the Bombers, having towelled Patrick Cripps in just his second game, and minimised Jaeger O’Meara the game following.
He also picked up last round’s Rising Star nomination, being the first ever player to earn it from a tagging role.
Mitch Brown will come in for Jake Stringer (injured).
The Eagles were handed a hefty 45-point loss in their Round 12 match against Sydney, with Lance Franklin and Tom Papley both kicking bags in the win.
They return home, where they’ll hope to maintain their impressive record, having only lost once this year to Port Adelaide. Given the recent result and footy break, however, there’s always the possibility West Coast return a bit flat.
Josh Kennedy managed three goals in the loss, putting him in fifth for the Coleman race, while Jack Darling sits just below in 7th.
It will be interesting to see the match-ups between Kennedy and Hurley, as well as Darling and Hooker.
Andrew Gaff is also in All-Australian form, averaging 32 possessions and 114 AFL Fantasy Points a game. Given his supreme tank, it’s doubtful Clarke will be able to run out the game with him, so it’ll be interesting to see who he matches on.
The Eagles will welcome back Shannon Hurn, Elliot Yeo, Chris Masten, Oscar Allen, Jackson Nelson, Jarrod Cameron, while Josh Rotham, Tom Cole, Jake Waterman, Nathan Vardy, Josh Smith, Willie Rioli come out of the side.
Prediction
It’ll be a hard-fought game and I can see these sides matching up on each other very well. However, with the home advantage, the Eagles should knock the Bombers off.
West Coast by 28 points
Eagles Man
Guest
Flat trackers haha we won a flag last year and have beaten GWS, the Pies away and the Crows Away. Jog on
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He was in my very first class of my teaching career. Year 9 at Bruce Rock. Just a very pleasant fella.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Sheppard called 'hungry' by Garry Lyon... He's just sanguine good. Been the best half-back flanker in the AFL for three years. Precise kick, great mark, deadly tackler
User
Roar Rookie
Rover never hear the terms Rover or ruck rover anymore. David Hart was such a good player.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not a lot of clubs draft solid small defenders with their first round draft pick. WC has done it twice and hit pay dirt both times. Banfield and Sheppard. Wirrpanda wasn't too shabby either but I don't think they ever intended him to be a back pocket. Even David Hart was initially a rover (remember rovers?).
User
Roar Rookie
The trade of Watters and begovich to get Banfield was outstanding.
Scott
Guest
Yep and right there is the negativity. Dude was hilarious
WCE
Roar Rookie
Brad Sheppard you star!! BOG easy. All the boys were brilliant but shep was simply outstanding!! Tom Hickey had his best game of his career. In the top 4 here we come!!!
BBQ Bill
Guest
Said with a dash of sour grapes? bad loser my man. They beat eagles twice, last time at this home stadium, they were worthy contenders, certainly not a weak (not week) team. Eagles did their homework well for a change and carved them up. But bombers are a scary-good team when they get that fast transition happening, they'll get there.
BackShed Baz
Guest
BT is such an annoying twat, really wish someone would say "p*ss off BT" when he sticks the mike in their face, is so condescending...
Nico
Roar Rookie
Was super worried about Fantasia and Saad against us. Saad stood up, but the job on Fantasia was beautiful!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Scotty was quite slow.
Grand-Dag
Guest
Just home from the game - strange game Eagles dominated but left the gate opn just enough to give the Bombers a chance. 22 bloody points ( don't know how to make 22 in numerals a capital to start a sentence!) The Eagles score should have been reversed 22:14 = 146 - would have reflected the play. Complete dominance around the ball, excellent supply into the forward 50, deplorable kicking for goal. But, i suppose a win is a win.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Hope shep gets his AA jumper
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Well done,indeed. A bit better team than the Flat Earthers down in Fremantle. You could say that the Crows, Tigers,and Bombers beat up on a weak team in Rounds 7,8 and 9
Scott
Guest
BT IS THE MAN!!! Its official, if you hate BT you are a negative di*k. That was a brilliant roamingbrian. Gotta love this stuff, there is almost nothing unscripted in television anymore, that was funny as
User
Roar Rookie
That insult is a few years out of date. Managed to win a premiership since last time it was relevant. Your team?
Brandon Hutchinson
Roar Pro
FULL-TIME The Eagles have pushed their way back into the top-four after a dominant performance at Optus Stadium against the Bombers. The first quarter went well for the Bombers, kicking four from four in the first compared to the Eagles' three from seven. The Bombers added two goals in the second, but withstood an onslaught from the Eagles, who kicked four goals and 10 behinds in the second quarter. In the third quarter, West Coast cleaned up their kicking, Kennedy scoring back-to-back goals for the first time all game, with the Eagles kicking four overall. The Bombers put two away but couldn't break out of their back-half for most of the game with Eagles covering the ground too well. The Bombers evened things up in the fourth quarter, both sides kicking three goals. Though the Eagles were long gone, finishing their game comfortably, 35-points in front. While he struggled, Kennedy led goal-kicking with three. Elliot Yeo led AFL Fantasy Points on 135 and a game-high 12 tackles, alongside Dom Sheed and Andrew Gaff who led disposals on 36 and 31 respectively. First-gamer, Jarrod Cameron kicked two goals in his first game with seven tackles and seven disposals. Jack Petruccelle, Jamie Cripps and Dom Sheed also all had two goals. Cale Hooker stood up in the loss with 116 AFL Fantasy Points, 28 disposals, 15 marks and 14 intercept possessions. Skipper, Dyson Heppell, did his best to will his side with 30 disposals, alongside midfield jet, Zac Merrett who also finished with 30. Young guns, Josh Begley (3) and Jayden Laverde (2) both impressed on goals. The Eagles now sit even more comfortably in the top-eight, while the Bombers dip lower into the bottom-end.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Good to see Cameron pick up two. The vaunted Essendon defence failed miserably
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Well done to the Flat Trackers they all ways Bully the week sides at home.