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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Hewett caught, Wright goals
Elijah Hewett shows no awareness in the middle to be caught holding the ball.
Essendon rebounds and Peter Wright is too strong for Edwards to take a strong grab.
He makes no mistake on the angle and breaks the Eagles run.
WC 6.1 (37) ESS 2.2 (14)
Jamie Cripps with some magic
He has been a dead-eye so far this year.
Hemmed in the pocket he finds the step to get it on his rights and snaps around the corner to just beat the Bombers defender on the line.
A wonderful finish and just what the Eagles needed.
WC 6.0 (36) ESS 1.2 (8)
First Quarter stats
The Eagles had 35 contested possessions in that quarter almost half of what they managed in the entire game against Carlton.
They lead inside 50s 12-9 with the two pillars of Waterman and Jeremy McGovern leading the way for the Eagles.
WATERMAN HAS 4
This is the best quarter of footy West Coast have played this year and it’s Waterman who is charging them ahead.
Liam Ryan wins a free at half forward at it goes to Waterman who is in a mood today.
He goes back in the left pocket and nails the shot after the siren as the Eagles lead by 22 points at first change.
It’s been a great start now they must maintain it.
WC 5.0 (30) ESS 1.2 (8)
Three for Watreman!
Harley Reid comes steaming in to lay a massive tackle and turn the ball over at half forward.
He kicks it to Waterman who basically takes an uncontested mark such is his strength.
HE has three goals in the quarter.
WC 4.0 (24) ESS 1.2 (8)
Two for Waterman
Archer Reid gets an early one over his brother winning a holding free kick at half forward.
He puts a perfect kick over the top for Waterman to run onto.
Nails the set shot and the Eagles have three goals early
WC 3.0 (18) ESS 1.2 (8)
Jack Williams has a goal
This is all about Brady Hough though who shows great strength to win a dangerous one on one at half back to send the Eagles forward.
It goes to Waterman to Ryan and his kick to the goal square falls in the lap of Williams who taps it through.
WC 2.0 (12) ESS 1.2 (8)
Sam Draper is dominating at the moment
The Bombers ruck is just sitting behind the ball at the moment and is playing a sweeper role cutting off any dump kicks out of the Eagles defence.
It’s been all Bombers for the past five minutes and eventually the choas ball falls Essendon way to kick their first major through Peter Wright.
WC 1.0 (6) ESS 1.2 (8)
Eagles showing good pressure early
It’s over 200 at the moment and are plus 20 in disposals.
They’ve got 12 contested possessions to 6. Though McGovern almost gifts a goal with a horribkle turnover but Sam Draper’s shot on the run is wide.
Waterman gets the Eagles rolling
West Coast show good pressure early to lock the ball in their forward 50.
There’s a bit of chaos ball but Waterman cops one high to win a free in the right pocket.
He nails the set shot and gets the crowd buzzing early.
WC 1.0 (6) ESS 0.0 (0)
