Recap: Essendon break West Coast hearts to claim thrilling two point win
There’s no hiding it now for West Coast after sliding to their worst-ever start. Can they find something back on their home deck against Essendon to give their fans some hope?
Veterans Tim Kelly and Jeremy McGovern return but co-captain Oscar Allen is being ‘managed’ despite the team being in desperate need of leadership.
Essendon are heavy favourites but that’s something they have not dealt with well in the past, is there an Easter miracle in store for the Eagles?
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Peter Wright has 6!
Another full forward is filling his boots against the Eagles defence.
It’s great vision from the Bombers midfield to find him all alone in the pocket.
He puts the Bombers two goals up and the Eagles need something fast.
Eagles activate the sub
Tom Gross on for Dewar.
Jamie Cripps has a set shot but misses left to bring the margin back to six.
Martin puts the Bombers in front
Nic Martin has had a quiet day but the WA boy flies high to take a strong contested mark and kick his first goal.
Essendon back in front for the first time since the first quarter.
But Sam Draper is down behind play and he falls down all by himself. His day looks like its done and that could be a massive blow
Here we go
West Coast get the first look at goals after Essendon turn it over after the short kick is called not 15.
Ryan takes a shot from the boundary but its across the face and out on the full.
3QR Time West Coast 9.7 (61) Essendon 9.7 (61)
Hewett’s goal put the Eagles 22 points up and perhaps gave them a chance to run away with it.
Instead Essendon poured on the pressure kicking four goals straight to tie the scores.
It’s built off the back of their centre clearance dominace which they are finally starting to convert to scores.
Eagles need to start winning the ball out the middle otherwise they’re no hope of getting back on top.
Perhaps it’s time for Tom Gross to be injected?
Peter Wright ties it up
Matt Flynn is told to play on from a mark and turns it over then Harry Edwards gives away a free on Peter Wright for holdiong who kicks his sixth.
Tied game Bombers with all the momentum.
WC 9.7 (61) ESS 9.7 (61)
Essendon on fire
Umpires pay an insufficient intent after Harley Reid boots it inside 50.
Crowd isn’t happy and the Bombers spread and rebound and Sam Draper marks over MAtt Flynn.
He snaps and its a one goal ball game.
Two in a minute for Perkins!
This is a great goal from Perkins he shows strength to stay up in the contest and rip the ball out and throw it on the boot.
It’s back to inside two goals and the Eagles need a centre clearance win.
WC 9.7 (61) 7.6 (48)
Immediate response from Essendon
Another centre clearance win but this time they find the leading forward as Archie Perkins takes a strong contested mark.
Makes no mistake on the shot to bring the magin back to 19.
Elijah Hewett from 50!
He intercepts the ball after a horro kick out of defence from Essendon.
He’s on 50 but he goes back and it sways just enough late to sneak through.
His first goal for the year and a big goal in the context of the game.
WC 9.7 (61) ESS 5.6 (36)
