Where and when: Marvel Stadium, Saturday, August 5, 1.45pm (11:45am AWST)

TV: Live on 7 in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo

Last time we met: West Coast 6.10 (46) def. by Essendon 14.12 (96) at Optus Stadium, round 11, 2023.

It was a tough night for the Eagles in round 11, with the home side falling to the Bombers by 50 points. Despite leading the inside 50 metre count 48-46, West Coast struggled to capitalise on scoring opportunities, with decision-making errors and skill execution proving costly. While West Coast’s Oscar Allen (four goals) was the most dominant forward of the game, Essendon delivered consistently inside their forward 50, largely generated from behind the ball through Ashley McGrath, Mason Redman and Dyson Heppell, with Kyle Langford (three goals), Ben Hobbs (two) and Will Snelling (two) doing the damage. Liam Duggan (35 disposals) and Jayden Hunt (34) were stand-outs around the ball for the Eagles.

What it means for the Eagles: The Eagles come into this game on the back of a five-point win over the Kangaroos last weekend, their first win since round two. It was a victory that not only brought relief and joy to the group, but it also reiterated the winning culture of the club to the younger players, and provided some reward for effort in what has been a rough season. West Coast will be looking to draw on that momentum this week when they take on 13^th placed Essendon at Marvel Stadium. If they can replicate last week’s strong start in front of goal and slick ball movement around the ground, the Eagles should be in the contest. Essendon fell just two points short to Sydney last week and will be fighting to keep their season alive.

The stat: Since round 17, the Eagles have won the contested possession count by 6.3 per game in general play – ranked No. 1.

The match-up: Jeremy McGovern v Peter Wright

Jeremy McGovern returns to the side following time on the sidelines due to concussion and will have his hands full with Essendon’s Peter Wright. Wright comes into this game on the back of a four-goal haul against Sydney last week and he will be looking to make an impact for his side as they attempt to stay in finals contention.

It’s a big week for: West Coast’s forward line

After a powerful start against North Melbourne last week, the Eagles forwards will need to be on their A-game and get off to another good start this week to apply scoreboard pressure and stay competitive against the Dons.

Big call: After recently finding some fine form, Andrew Gaff will kick multiple goals and finish with 25+ disposals.

The West Coast Eagles were within 80 seconds of an epic victory at Marvel Stadium today before being cruelly denied by Essendon.

When young forward Ryan Maric took a mark about 40 metres from goal and split the middle, the Eagles led by five points. It was the first time they had edged in front since scoring the opening behind of the match.

Unfortunately, the Bombers found a way out of the centre clearance and Kyle Langford snuck behind the Eagles defence to kick his fifth of the match that ultimately steered four premiership points in Essendon’s direction as they won 10.13 (73) to 11.6 (72).

The Eagles were brave in defeat, recovering from a 30-point deficit in the third quarter to go within a whisker of back-to-back victories after beating North Melbourne last week.

In doing so they also went some way towards finding the remedy for slow starts away from home. They stayed in the contest in the opening term and managed to lead it by two points at the first break, albeit Essendon paid a price for inaccuracy, kicking a wasteful 1.6.

Jeremy McGovern, Jayden Hunt, Tom Cole and Alex Witherden, in his 100^th senior match, were outstanding in defence.

Liam Duggan, thrust into the midfield, Tim Kelly and Andrew Gaff worked hard around the ball.

Oscar Allen was a constant threat in attack with Jack Darling and Maric and they were well and truly in the game.

In the second term, however, Langford, who has been transformed from big-bodied midfielder into dangerous forward cut lose and had four goals to half-time. It was out to a dangerous margin of 23 points at the main break, but the Eagles still had fight left in their collective bodies.

Even when the margin slipped out to five goals the Eagles refused to yield and a five-goal last quarter – featuring the attacking exploits of Darling, Jamie Cripps, Allen and Maric – took them within grasp of an exciting victory.

Again in the dying minutes McGovern and Elliot Yeo were resolute in defence while the energy of youngsters Elijah Hewett, Noah Long, Luke Edwards, Brady Hough and Campbell Chesser was important.

Ultimately it was a disappointing defeat, but the energy and effort was high throughout.

ESSENDON            1.6    7.8     8.10    10.13 (73)
WEST COAST         2.2    4.3     6.5      11.6  (72)

GOALS 
Essendon: Langford 5, Durham, Perkins, Parish, Wright, Redman
West Coast: Cripps 2, Darling 2, Allen 2, Maric 2, Hewett, Williams, Petruccelle

BEST 
Essendon: Langford, Merrett, Parish, Hind, Heppell, Redman
West Coast: Duggan, Kelly, Hunt, Cripps, Allen, McGovern

INJURIES 
Essendon:  TBC
West Coast: TBC

SUBSTITUTES 
Essendon: Alwyn Davey jnr (replaced Jye Caldwell at three-quarter-time)
West Coast: Greg Clark (replaced Jack Williams in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: TBC at Marvel Stadium