AFL: West Coast are hunting their fourth win of the season as Essendon arrive in Perth off the back of a tumultuous week that saw Brad Scott sacked.
The Eagles head into the contest unchanged from the side that nearly upset Collingwood at the MCG while Essendon have had a flurry of injuries to contend with.
Can West Coast grab their second-biggest win total of the decade or will Essendon get some new coach bounce?
Follow all the action in our live blog.
Lapping it up
Players are making their way around the boundary, dishing out high-fives, posing for selfies, and enjoying the atmosphere.
It’s another win for Andrew McQualter to help nourish the Eagles, and they’d likely start as betting favourites for next week’s home clash against Port Adelaide in an attempt to make it five victories before the bye.
THREE-WORD ANALYSIS
West Coast are back on the winners list and they did it comfortably against Essendon.
FT: West Coast 85, Essendon 55
The Eagles get the job done in a performance that will excite the fans.
The Bombers were missing a lot of players but winning with expectations on your shoulders is not something this team has done before.
Their fourth win of the season is the second-most victories in a season this decade and we are only halfway through the year.
Ginbey was superb as always and Kelly is starting show some of his vintage form.
Reid was massive with his physicality while Young was a real driver out of defence.
Waterman is doing everything right, he just can’t kick straight. But he is a monster up forward.
Merrett and Parish got off the chain late but Hough did good work on them both.
Late charge?
Merrett grabs himself a goal after a second to Caddy the Bombers edge a little closer.
There’s five minutes left and the Eagles should be home, but you never know.
WCE 84, ESS 84
Clearance oddity
The Bombers lead the clearance count 41-19.
However, the Eagles’ biggest improvement this season has been their pressure and figuring out a way to ensure teams can’t burst away with the clearances.
It has served them well tonight.
Plus, their disposals effciency is over 80 per cent.
WCE 84, ESS 42
Jake answers
The Bombers one the next ruck tap but couldn’t get the clearance.
The ball lands with Waterman who takes his tally for the day to 3.3.
WCE 77, ESS 35
Coast-to-coast
The Bombers grab the first of the last from a kick-in.
Waterman missed a tough set shot and the Eagles just missed their set up.
The Bombers have now kicked the last three majors.
WCE 71, ESS 35
Thoughts
West Coast are enjoying their time under Sunday night lights, despite the wet weather.
3QT: West Coast 70, Essendon 29
West Coast owned 80 per cent of the third term but just allowed Essendon to keep the door open with a couple of late ones.
The Eagles will be happy with their work but fans will be nervous given the club’s struggles.
This is their chance to prove they have learnt how to win, not just fight back against the odds.
Kelly is playing well in midfield and while Williams isn’t starring tonight, he is giving his side good looks and strong marks.
The disposal stats are dead even but West Coast have 44 inside 50s to 28, using the ball better than Essendon.
Young gun
Tylar Young is playing his best game as an Eagle.
He has 21 touches but is using his speed to get at the ball and then run off and attack.
However, Ginbey takes a spell on the bench and Caddy starts to get a taste for the ball feeding his teammates in the forward 50.
WCE 69, ESS 29
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails