The West Coast Eagles paid a heavy price for a slow start as Essendon secured an important round two AFLW victory at Mineral Resources Park today.
The Bombers dominated the opening term which laid the foundations for a solid 16-point victory – 6.5 (41) to 3.7 (25). Essendon enjoyed the first 14 inside 50 entries and kicked the only two goals of the first term.
It appeared to be three goals with Madi Prespakis, who was best afield, having an after-the-siren goal disallowed after umpires deemed she ran off the line of the mark.
While the Eagles worked their way into the contest “losing” the last three quarters by just two behinds, they had allowed Essendon to make a positive start in one of the most challenging road trips of the competition.
The Eagles started to get some midfield impetus on the back of some determined efforts from the likes of Bella Lewis, Ella Roberts and Ali Drennan and it became something of an arm wrestle thereafter.
Unfortunately West Coast did not get a suitable return from their forays inside the attacking arc, which finished with Essendon having a 34-25 advantage at game’s end, and also made too many elementary defensive errors.
It seemed that every time the Eagles looked capable of closing the gap and applying scoreboard pressure they would concede an easy opportunity for the Bombers through an ill-timed turnover.
Roberts, Lewis and Charlie Thomas were standout performers for the Eagles while Beth Schilling had some good moments in defence with 14 possessions and seven marks while Lauren Wakfer and Sarah Lakay worked hard in the ruck.
The Eagles, who made such a positive start to the season in a round one thriller against Richmond, simply could not replicate that effort.
Where they had set the tone for their pressure as well as second and third efforts eight days ago, it was Essendon who set the tone through most of the match.
Details
ESSENDON 2.2 4.3 6.3 6.5 (41)
WEST COAST 0.0 2.1 3.4 3.7 (25)
Goals
Essendon: Gough, Adams, Alexander, Cain, Vogt, Williamson
West Coast Eagles: Lewis, Western, Franklin
Best
Essendon: Prespakis, Nanscawen, Gay, Cain, Wales, Keaney
West Coast Eagles: Lewis, Thomas, Roberts, Drennan, Schilling, Lakay
Injuries
Essendon: Nil
West Coast: Nil
Crowd
2079 at Mineral Resources Park
