Essendon coach Brad Scott says he’s happy with his staff’s potential to keep away from complacency throughout their 50-point win over West Coast, however he will not be watching the replay for enjoyable.
Kyle Langford booted three targets and captain Zach Merrett racked up 32 disposals and 5 clearances to steer the Bombers to a 14.12 (96) to six.10 (46) win in Saturday night time’s AFL conflict at Optus Stadium.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson entered the match beneath intense strain following final week’s 116-point loss to Hawthorn.
The Eagles confirmed much more battle in entrance of 39,269 followers, and the 33-point margin at three-quarter time would have been far much less had West Coast kicked straight.
Essendon pulled away in a scrappy ultimate quarter, making certain there can be no repeat of final yr’s shock 10-point loss to injury-hit West Coast in Perth.
“I said to the players, I would have been more concerned today if we came out thinking that we were going to try and kick 150 points and walk over a side that’s struggling, just mainly due to injury,” Scott stated.
“I mean, the Bombers came over here last year in similar circumstances around a similar time of year and, under the players’ own admission, thought it was going to happen.
“There was a message right this moment that we’ll get what we deserve.
“And if we think it’s just going to happen, we’ll get embarrassed. And so for that part of it, I was really pleased.
“I believed it was knowledgeable efficiency, however definitely not one that we are going to be watching the replay for enjoyable.”
Essendon’s season was on the skids after losing four matches in a row, but wins over Richmond and West Coast over the past fortnight have lifted the Bombers (6-5) back into the top eight.
West Coast’s ninth loss in a row was an equal club record and marked the third time in the space of two years the Eagles have lost nine in a row.
Oscar Allen, standing in as West Coast captain for the first time, put in a solid case to become the club’s next full-time skipper with four goals and seven marks from 12 disposals.
Veteran Elliot Yeo made a strong return from a groin injury with 24 disposals and five clearances, while Tim Kelly tallied seven clearances and 29 possessions.
Essendon won the clearance battle 12-3 in the opening term, but two goals to Allen ensured West Coast trailed by just 10 points at the first break.
The Eagles won the clearance battle in the second term, but Essendon were harder at the contest.
A goal after the halftime siren to Jake Stringer extended Essendon’s lead to 24 points, and two goals in the space of a minute to Langford late in the third broke West Coast’s spirits.
“It was most likely the minimal we needed tonight,” Simpson said of his team’s performance.
“We clearly did not win and the rating blew out, however we gained the within 50s, and we have been courageous for the footy to a degree the place we obtained damage on the turnover.
“But probably (we got) a little bit more of the identity we’re trying to chase, without being anywhere near satisfied.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
