The West Coast Eagles, down on numbers and energy, slipped to a deflating loss to Essendon at Optus Stadium tonight.

After losing star midfielder Tim Kelly and key utility player Oscar Allen by half-time, the Eagles were out-run and outscored by the youthful Bombers after the main break, fading to lose by 16 points 12.15 (87) to 11.5 (71)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Brendon Ah Chee of the Eagles in action during the round 11 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

The final nail in the loss came when former Eagle Alec Waterman converted from a mark inside the 50 metre arc, to extend the margin to 15 points.

Essendon snatched the lead for the first time in the opening minute of the last quarter and the Eagles, were hanging on desperately.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Oscar Allen of the Eagles contests for a mark and lands heavily during the round 11 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

About 10 minutes into the quarter Jake Waterman levelled scores when he ran on to intercept a well-weighted deep entry from Liam Ryan and duly converted his set shot. But they could not wrest back momentum.

While ruckman Nic Naitanui and midfielders Andrew Gaff, Dom Sheed and Jack Redden tried to cover for the loss of key personnel, they were fighting against the odds. The slick young Bombers smelled an opportunity and they capitalised.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Jamaine Jones of the Eagles handpasses the ball during the 2021 AFL Round 11 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

Defenders Tom Barrass, Shannon and Brad Sheppard also tried to hold up their end, but it was to no avail.     

One of the low points in the night, a knee injury to star midfielder Tim Kelly, had earlier prompted an energised second quarter highlight from the Eagles when medical sub Jake Waterman took 10 seconds to impact and kick an important goal.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Dom Sheed of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the round 11 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

While Kelly’s presence through the midfield was sorely missed, Waterman made the most of his opportunity and was involved in a couple of important plays for the quarter.

In the absence of Kelly, who hobbled off early in the second quarter, the Eagles needed a lift across the board in the midfield and it came through the likes of Redden, Sheed and Gaff and things were humming along after a six-goal term.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Josh J. Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the round 11 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Unfortunately, the Bombers scored two late goals to edge within 19 points in the throes of half-time, giving the first slight indication of momentum change.

The news got no better for the Eagles as they descended into the depths of Optus Stadium for the break, with versatile big man Oscar Allen ruled out with concussion after a nasty fall when flying for a mark.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Nic Naitanui of the Eagles kicks the ball during the 2021 AFL Round 11 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

With the Eagles down a rotation from that moment forward it was going to be difficult to contain the young Bombers and by three-quarter time the margin had been whittled back to just three points.     

Essendon                            2.4          5.7           9.8        12.15     87
West Coast Eagles            3.0          9.0          10.5        11.5        71
Goals – Essendon: Stringer 3, Hooker, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2; Cox, Langford, Jones, A Waterman, Snelling.  West Coast Eagles: Kennedy 3; J Waterman 2; Cripps, Petruccelle, Ah Chee, Darling, Ryan, Sheed.
Best – Essendon: Merrett, Heppell, Parish, Ridley, Laverde, McGrath.  West Coast Eagles: Naitanui, Sheed, Kennedy, Barrass, Redden, Rotham, Hurn.
Injuries – West Coast Eagles: Kelly (knee), Allen (concussion)
Crowd: 41,000 (approx.)