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 100th 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
