The West Coast Eagles have snapped a nine-game losing streak to upset Essendon at Optus Stadium by 10 points.
There were plenty of new Eagles singing the song for the first time at home following the performance in front of 40,933 fans.
Less than a month ago Adam Simpson’s side was regularly being belted by over 50 points, but a spirited performance last week against Geelong was followed up by a defining win on Friday night.
The result comes despite Essendon dominating the inside 50 count 58-42. The Eagles had 27 scoring shots, their efficiency inside 50 almost 20 per cent higher than their season average in the impressive win.
Just last week Essendon was praised for the return of their defensive flair when stifling a quick St Kilda outfit, however yet another gallant but disappointing performance followed for the struggling club.
The visitors took the lead early and got out to a 22-point lead in the first quarter, but the Eagles pegged back the margin and had the better of the second half, despite a late push from Ben Rutten’s men.
Their intensity was there, beating the Eagles in contested possessions and winning the tackle count, but not for the first time this year Essendon was far too disjointed moving the ball and defending.
Peter Wright had eight shots on goal for four goals when getting the better of Tom Barrass, while Jack Stringer booted three. However, starring performances were few and far between.
Josh Kennedy, Willie Rioli, Jamie Cripps, Jack Darling and Liam Ryan all kicked multiple goals as West Coast kicked 100+ points for the first time in 2022.
Essendon also kicked their third highest score of the year with 97 points.
Despite the feel-good story for West Coast, moving off the bottom of the ladder after their COVID and injury carnage, the headlines will focus on another underwhelming performance dished up by Essendon.
With Essendon conducting an internal review, losses like these will be an unwanted distraction for Rutten, who is fighting to prove he deserves to coach the squad long-term.
The Bombers play Sydney next week, while West Coast will again enter as outsiders in trying to win consecutive games against Richmond in Round 16.
Click PLAY to listen to Anthony Hudson's recap on AFL Nation
FULL SCORE
West Coast: 3.3, 9.3, 13.6, 16.11. (107)
Essendon: 5.5, 7.10, 10.13, 14.13 (97)
GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 5, Rioli 3, Cripps 3, Darling 2, Ryan 2, Waterman
Essendon: Wright 4, Guelfi 2, Stringer 3 Jones 2, Martin 2, Perkins
BEST
West Coast: Rioli, Hurn, Kennedy, Cripps, Yeo
Essendon: Merrett, Kelly, Shiel, Stringer, Wright
INJURIES
West Coast: N/A
Essendon: N/A