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.
Make ‘em pay
Murdock has been stirring up the Bomber’s defence and they bite as the siren sounds to start the half.
He wins a soft free kick 45 metres out from goal after being pushed to ground.
He converts the goal.
WCE 42, ESS 16
HT: West Coast 36, Essendon 16
The Eagles looked in trouble mid-way through that quarter but they found a way to pull things back and end the half with three in a row.
Baker and Kelly are leading the way for West Coast while Reid steamed into the break with 15 touches and a goal.
The Bombers looked good when they won the clearances but both teams just waste chances going forward.
Can’t touch this!
If you don’t mind, Reid brushes off three tackles in the 50 with brute strength and snaps the Eagles’ third in a row!
It was an unreal feat of strength that just makes the opposition feel demoralised.
Reid starting to fire.
WCE 36, ESS 16
Clearance bloodbath
The Eagles are getting hammered in the clearances.
They are down 20-6 and most of that is in this quarter.
Johnstone grabs the Eagles their first of the term against the flow after some nice candy sells from Waterman to shake free.
It’s the first goal at the non-city end/against the breeze.
WCE 23, ESS 16
Weather holding
It’s been a wet day in Perth but so far we haven’t had too much during play.
The lack of skill is all on the players but at least the contest is tough and entertaining.
WCE 17, ESS 14
Worth the ticket
You have to be a brave fan to be at Optus today with the rain but Ginbey and Caddy are putting on a show worth watching.
Both are athletic and happy to run and fly at the ball.
So far Ginbey has had the better of the Bombers’ forward but Essendon are starting to get on top as they kick a second.
WCE 17, ESS 13
Baker costly
Baker has had a good start but two poor plays allows Essendon to kick their first.
The Eagles co-captain gave up a handball without looking and then spoiled the resulting kick straight to the lone Bomber in the goalsquare.
WCE 17, ESS 7
QT: West Coast 17, Essendon 1
The Eagles have kept the Bombers goalless and only allowed their first score with 30 seconds to play.
They just haven’t got their reward at the other end.
Their kicking inside 50 is still woeful, it just looks like they are going to get more opportunities today.
Kelly has had 11 touches while Baker has made a bright start.
May-day
Archer May has had his shoulder dislocated by friendly fire.
He went back with the flight and got crunched by his teammate.
He leaves the ground in serious pain.
WCE 10, ESS 0
Tag
Hough is running with Merrett in this first quarter while Duursma and Reid have been around the mark with Parish.
The Eagles are well on top at the moment with their pressure forcing Essendon to blaze away with ball in hand.
They just need to find a way to get goals on the board.
WCE 10, ESS 0
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