Round 12 – West Coast v Essendon: Eagles swoop as Bombers fail to lift off!

Round 12
West Coast v Essendon
Sunday, 31 May 2026
Optus Stadium, Perth WA

 

Well – the so called interim coach bounce we were all hoping for did not eventuate, and unfortunately, it was more of the same old thing  dished up once again by the Bombers. Very frustrating and disappointing for supporters!

 

In reality, after defeats by bottom rung sides, it is difficult to even consider another possible win for the Bombers for the rest of the season. It is somewhat reminiscent of 1971 when I first started attending Essendon matches with a few mates. They struggled that year finishing second-bottom on the ladder with four wins, and numerous floggings week in week out. I was going to say similar to this year but in 1971 at least we had four wins. The way we are playing at the moment, and the lack of playing personnel due to injury, we’d have to win three more matches, a huge ask at the moment.

 

West Coast are beginning to bear the fruits of their rebuilding process over the past few years which was evident against the Bombers, suggesting Essendon is at least a couple of years behind them. The Eagles have a very good blend of young and more experienced players, an aspect missing from the Essendon team. Our team is very young and lacks the leadership, older and more mature players bring to the team.

 

Throughout his wonderful coaching career Kevin Sheedy was never afraid to attempt something out of the ordinary – to swing players around, from forward line to back line and vice-versa, and other crazy out of the box ideas to see what may happen. Some worked, some didn’t but he at least gave them a go. This is one thing Brad Scott did not do, for whatever his reasons, he did not try something out of the ordinary, it was always the same old same old!

 

 At least Dean Solomon had a crack at trying something different; Ben McKay to the forward line is an excellent move and one that may prove to be a winner for the future. The pressure was off him down forward, he looked confident leading to the ball, marking strongly, and kicked a goal. He also provided ruck duties at times. This move will provide added experience to the forward line which is sorely missing at the moment. It will also take some pressure off Caddy who always has two or three opposition players vying for the ball with him.

 

A Sunday night match at the MCG against a revitalised Carlton in Round 13 will be a huge test for the Bombers, especially with injuries again being a major factor regarding team selection but I’ll be there, scarf waving, cheering and hoping for a win.

 

Go Bombers!

 

Malarkey Votes

 

3. Harley Reid
2. Reuben Ginbey
1. Archie Roberts

 

WEST COAST        2.5     5.6     10.10     12.13 (85)
ESSENDON           0.1     2.4       4.5         8.7 (55)

 

GOALS
West Coast: Waterman 3, Murdock 3, B.Williams, Shanahan, Reid, McCarthy, Johnston, Duursma
Essendon: Day-Wicks 2, Caddy 2, Merrett, McKay, Edwards, Cox

 

BEST
West Coast: Ginbey, Reid, Kelly, Waterman, Murdock, Duursma, McCarthy
Essendon: Robey, Tsatas, Day-Wicks, Merrett, Duursma

 

INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Essendon: May (shoulder)

 

Crowd: 37,623 at Optus Stadium

 

More Round 12 Reports Here

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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