West Coast's fighting comeback bid fell short in a dramatic six-point loss to Essendon at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

While the Eagles rallied late and cut the margin to six points in the final two minutes, they were unable to get the final goal they needed in pursuit of a third victory for the year.

The Bombers stood up at crucial moments in the fourth quarter to seal the 11.11 (77) to 11.5 (71) win.

Further souring the defeat for the home team, star midfielder Elliot Yeo looked to suffer a groin injury late in the third quarter of his 200th match in a concerning sign given his history of groin issues. 

Young star Harley Reid sent a scare through the camp when he pulled up and grabbed at his right hamstring, coming from the ground, but he was able to return to the field late as the Eagles surged forward.  

Emerging tall forward Jack Williams (three goals) had his best game for the club, while star midfielder Tim Kelly (29 disposals) was huge in the second half and Jake Waterman (three goals) continued his stellar form.

Co-captain Liam Duggan and gun defender Jeremy McGovern were also outstanding, as they have been all season leading a young side.

Young midfielder Reuben Ginbey was also impressive and Jack Darling booted two goals on a night he achieved AFL Life Membership.

The Bombers can thank the cool head of their brilliant captain Zach Merrett and a clutch 50m goal on the boundary from Kyle Langford for sealing the important win. 

Merrett was outstanding with 29 disposals and three goals, leading a deep midfield that was also well served by Darcy Parish (36 and six clearances) and Sam Durham (25 and seven clearances). 

Martin was a thorn in the Eagles' side at half-back with 32 disposals, eight marks and six rebound 50s, lifting as he often does against the team he trialled with during the 2021 pre-season. 

The pattern for Essendon's midfield ascendency was set early as it controlled clearances 13-5 in the first quarter and kicked its two goals from the source, building a 10-point lead at the first break. 

A big contested mark and set shot goal from Waterman had been the Eagles' only early highlight, and they turned again to their in-form forward, who flushed a brilliant set shot from outside 50m to start the second term. When Yeo matched that effort minutes later, West Coast had an unlikely lead. 

The Bombers responded with their best 10-minute period for the half, however, kicking four unanswered goals as their midfielders did as they liked again and their opponents turned the ball over far too frequently. 

When Durham shook Reid at a forward 50 stoppage to snap a neat goal, Essendon was 21 points clear and looked comfortably the better side going into the second half. 

West Coast's best period on the game was still to come, however, and it found another gear through the third quarter to keep the contest alive, with Campbell Chesser seizing on Jake Kelly's error to convert on the goalline. 

Quite through the first half, Reid electrified the home crowd with a pair of fend-offs in the middle of the ground, shrugging off Merrett and Ben Hobbs to create a goal for Jack Darling and cut the margin to just four points. 

A pair of late goals to Essendon, including a brilliant dribble from the pocket from Merrett for his third, restored a 15-point margin at the last break.

West Coast had ample opportunities in the final quarter to peg that back, but a stunning 50m goal on the boundary from Langford against the run of play gave the Bombers enough breathing room late. 

WEST COAST           1.1   4.2   8.5   11.5 (71)

ESSENDON              2.5   7.6   10.8   11.11 (77) 

GOALS

West Coast: Waterman 3, J Williams 3, Darling 2, Chesser, B Williams, Yeo  

Essendon: Merrett 3, Langford 3, Wright 2, Durham, Duursma, Stringer

BEST  

West Coast: Waterman, Kelly, Duggan, McGovern, J Williams  

Essendon: Merrett, Parish, Durham, Martin, Langford, Perkins

INJURIES

West Coast: Long (knee), Yeo (groin) 

Essendon: Caldwell (calf tightness)

LATE CHANGES 

West Coast: Ryan Maric (illness) replaced in selected side by Dom Sheed 

Essendon: Nil 

SUBSTITUTES

West Coast: Harvey Johnston (replaced Noah Long at three-quarter time) 

Essendon: Ben Hobbs (replaced Jye Caldwell in the third quarter)

Crowd: 51,751 at Optus Stadium