Essendon’s damage curse has continued within the post-Brad Scott period, with Archer Might dislocating his shoulder within the Bombers’ 30-point loss to West Coast at a windy Perth Stadium.
On a day when Perth was hit by a once-in-a-five-year storm earlier than situations calmed in the course of the recreation, West Coast kicked eight unanswered targets both aspect of half-time to soar to a 12.13 (85) to eight.7 (55) win in entrance of 37,623 followers.
The match was Essendon’s first since sacking Scott in the course of the week, they usually fronted up towards the Eagles nursing a 16-player damage record.
That turned 17 within the first quarter when Might dislocated his proper shoulder after being cleaned up by teammate Nate Caddy in a marking contest.
Aside from temporary patches and a few late junk targets, Essendon barely troubled West Coast.
Even the Bombers’ 44-23 dominance on the clearances did not translate to any kind of authority.
The outcome improved West Coast’s document to 4-8, already a marked enchancment on final yr’s one-win wooden-spoon marketing campaign.
Tim Kelly wound again the clock with 28 disposals within the win over Essendon. (Getty Photographs: Paul Kane)
Essendon (1-11) is in grave hazard of amassing this yr’s spoon.
Harley Reid (24 disposals, one aim), Tim Kelly (28 disposals, 554m gained), Milan Murdock (three targets, 19 disposals) and Jake Waterman (three targets, 9 marks) performed necessary roles for the Eagles.
However best-on-ground honours went to Reuben Ginbey, who was a star in defence and stored Caddy goalless for 3 quarters.
The Bombers ahead kicked two targets late within the recreation — one when Ginbey was off the bottom — however had no different affect on the competition.
For Essendon, Archie Roberts (30 disposals, 570m gained), Zach Merrett (28 disposals, one aim) and Sullivan Robey (9 clearances, 19 disposals) discovered loads of the ball in a shedding trigger.
Interim coach Dean Solomon (left) shuffled the magnets round in his first match in control of Essendon. (Getty Photographs: Janelle St Pierre)
Interim Essendon coach Dean Solomon pulled a shock transfer by enjoying Ben McKay at full-forward, however he was non-existent early as West Coast registered the primary 10 inside 50s of the match whereas kicking with the breeze.
The Eagles led 17-1 by quarter-time, however Essendon made the many of the sturdy breeze early within the second time period and even had a number of alternatives to grab the lead.
Their missed possibilities proved expensive, with West Coast’s counter-punch netting three necessary targets because the Eagles entered halftime with a 20-point buffer.
The spotlight of the second quarter belonged to Reid, who bought a dummy and shook off two tacklers whereas surrounded by gamers earlier than snapping really to ship the group wild.
West Coast iced the sport with a dominant five-goal burst to start out the third quarter.
Murdock acquired a free-kick in assault even earlier than the third quarter formally began after being pushed to the bottom by Jaxon Prior.
That aim was adopted by one other to Bailey Williams — this time for a ruck infringement.
And when Willem Duursma’s 50m set present was adopted by targets to Waterman and Tom McCarthy, the margin was a whopping 53 factors.
Earlier on Sunday, the GWS Giants accomplished an expert 49-point victory over Melbourne in Alice Springs.
Finn Callaghan starred with 31 touches, whereas Toby Greene, Callum Brown and Max Gruzewski kicked three targets every in GWS’s 19.5 (119) to 9.16 (70) triumph.
Observe our reside weblog under for a recap of all of Sunday’s AFL motion because it occurred.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 3:15pm
AFL Sunday scoreboard
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 10:37pm
That is the place we’ll go away issues!
Thanks for spending your weekend with us as soon as once more!
Please be part of us subsequent weekend for Spherical 13, which kicks off with a blockbuster between Adelaide and Geelong on Thursday night time.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 10:36pm
All the outcomes from Spherical 12
THURSDAY
Hawthorn 18.11 (119) def. St Kilda 9.13 (67) @ Docklands Stadium
FRIDAY
Carlton 12.16 (88) def. Geelong 12.12 (84) @ MCG
SATURDAY
Sydney 25.20 (170) def. Richmond 8.8 (56) @ SCG
Fremantle 15.13 (103) def. Brisbane Lions 10.18 (78) @ Gabba
Western Bulldogs 14.13 (97) def. Collingwood 13.15 (93) @ Docklands Stadium
SUNDAY
GWS Giants 19.5 (119) def. Melbourne 9.16 (70) @ Traeger Park, Alice Springs
West Coast 12.13 (85) def. Essendon 8.7 (55) @ Perth Stadium
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 10:33pm
The AFL ladder on the finish of Spherical 12
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 10:10pm
The ultimate stats from West Coast’s win over Essendon
Here is how the ultimate numbers look from Perth Stadium after the siren.
- Disposals: West Coast 388-372
- Inside 50s: West Coast 55-41
- Clearances: Essendon 44-23
- Centre Clearances: Essendon 12-9
- Contested Possessions: Essendon 126-124
- Uncontested Possessions: West Coast 258-232
- Intercepts: West Coast 79-60
- Marks: West Coast 99-68
- Marks Inside 50: West Coast 16-6
- Tackles: Essendon 58-43
- Tackles Inside 50: Essendon 18-7
Listed below are your high three gamers on the bottom ranked by AFL rating factors.
- Reuben Ginbey (WCE): 17 disposals, 11 intercepts, eight one percenters, six rating involvements, 5 marks
- Liam Baker (WCE): 25 disposals, 9 intercepts, three inside 50s, 340m gained
- Tom McCarthy (WCE): 26 disposals, eight marks, eight rating involvements, 5 rebounds 50s, one aim
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:55pm
FT: West Coast 12.13 (85) defeats Essendon 8.7 (55)
West Coast wins its fourth recreation of the season after a fairly complete efficiency towards Essendon.
The ultimate margin was 5 targets, however I really feel like West Coast have been somewhat higher and that.
Andrew McQualter will not be completely proud of the ultimate quarter, however he cannot complain with the 4 premiership factors, given how uncommon these have been in the previous couple of years.
The Eagles cut up this one open with that run of seven straight targets spanning the again of the second quarter and the beginning of the third.
Essendon, a group that’s severely undermanned it have to be stated, battled onerous and proper to the ultimate siren, however the expertise hole was somewhat too broad tonight.
Archie Roberts finishes the match because the main ball-winner on the bottom with 30 touches, whereas Tim Kelly led the way in which for the Eagles with 28.
Jake Waterman was wonderful up ahead, kicking 3.3 and ending with 16 disposals and 9 marks.
Milan Murdock was wonderful as nicely up ahead with 3.0 and 19 disposals, whereas Reuben Ginbey did a sterling job on Dons spearhead Nate Caddy.
West Coast dominated territory all night time and completed profitable the within 50 rely 55-41, whereas the Dons dominated the clearances 44-23.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:53pm
Eagles two minutes away from an enormous win
The clock is slowly ticking down on Spherical 12 right here with two minutes remaining.
Essendon has kicked 4.1 to 2.3 on this quarter to make issues look a bit extra respectable.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:48pm
Merrett makes it three straight for the Dons
Zach Merrett in some way outpoints two Eagles defenders in a marking contest to take the seize 20m out instantly in entrance.
He goes again and nails the straightforward set shot and the margin is trimmed to 5 targets with 5 minutes remaining.
Certainly there’s not sufficient time right here and that is all beauty.
Dons preventing until the ultimate siren although, which is what you need to see.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:47pm
Caddy provides one other one with a near-overhead snap
Nate Caddy preventing proper to the tip right here!
Tom Edwards with an overhead handball out of congestion and Caddy is on the tip of that and snaps really nearly in a single movement.
He is now acquired two targets for the night, a fairly first rate outcome after being well-held for almost all of the night time by Reuben Ginbey.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:42pm
Caddy will get on the board after earlier misses
Nate Caddy has been completely battered in marking contests all night time, and this time he wins a free kick for entrance on contact.
The Bombers’ No.30 has been shaky in entrance of aim this season, however drills the straightforward set shot right here.
He is acquired 1.1 for the night time with 9 disposals and three marks.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:40pm
Into the ultimate 10 minutes at Perth Stadium
West Coast holding a 48-point lead as we head into the ultimate 10 minutes of this one.
Essendon purely enjoying for satisfaction right here. They have to point out one thing right here.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:36pm
Murdock continues his outstanding night
Milan Murdock is having some form of recreation on the market, and he is now kicked his third for the night time!
Murdock receives a handball in site visitors and mainly off one step drills it on that trusty left foot.
He is acquired 16 disposals and has seven rating involvements to go together with his three majors.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:31pm
Waterman will get the moment reply for West Coast
Jake Waterman has been damaging all night and he kicks the essential aim to finish the run of three straight.
Actually poor defence from Lachie Blakiston as he fully ignored Waterman.
You simply can not give your opponent that a lot area inside 50, that is not good.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:29pm
Edwards will get the primary aim of the ultimate time period
Essendon goes finish to finish from a kick-in and Tom Edwards has the simplest of targets!
Andrew McQualter will not be proud of the benefit at which that aim occurred.
The margin is again to 6 targets. Nonetheless PLENTY of time left on this one.
West Coast must run via the tape right here to complete it off.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:22pm
3QT: West Coast 10.10 (70) leads Essendon 4.5 (29)
West Coast kicks 5.4 to 2.1 for the quarter to take a 41-point lead into the ultimate change.
Essendon has the good thing about the breeze within the remaining quarter, however you’d suppose that margin is likely to be somewhat too insurmountable.
Nonetheless, now we have seen stranger issues occur. The final couple of targets make issues somewhat attention-grabbing.
If the Dons are in a position to get the primary couple to start out the fourth, we may have a recreation on our palms.
West Coast nonetheless bossing the within 50s 45-28, however Essendon leads clearances 36-17.
Zach Merrett leads all gamers with 25 disposals, whereas Darcy Parish has 23, however each have been extraordinarily poor with their disposal.
Parish has simply 93m gained together with his 23 disposals which feels prefer it must be unattainable to do.
Tylar Younger has been wonderful down again for West Coast and leads the Eagles with 21 disposals.
Elijah Tsatas, again in Essendon’s aspect after Brad Scott’s sacking, has 20 disposals and 4 clearances, vindicating the shouts of Essendon followers who needed him within the aspect for the final month.
Dons teenager Sullivan Robey is having one other huge recreation. He is as much as 17 touches and has a game-high eight clearances.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:15pm
Day-Wicks strikes after Caddy’s spin cycle
Essendon has labored itself again into this quarter rather well within the final 5 minutes!
Nate Caddy performs the function of the rover this time as he spins out of a deal with and palms off to Archer Day-Wicks, who snaps via his second aim of the night time.
I actually just like the look of Day-Wicks, powerful as nails and simply makes issues occur.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:11pm
Bombers followers with their ideas on the coach search
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:09pm
McKay kicks first aim in Bombers profession after free
Essendon lastly has a aim towards the wind for this match!
Xavier Duursma forces a very good turnover on the wing after which Max Kondogiannis sends a ball into Ben McKay, who’s main out of the goalsquare.
McKay is impeded and wins a free kick and kicks really from the set shot to kick his first aim in Essendon colors!
That’s McKay’s first aim since Spherical 15, 2022, bringing his profession tally to a grand complete of two.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:05pm
McCarthy targets as Eagles proceed dominance
This isn’t a very good look from Essendon
Tom McCarthy takes an uncontested mark round 45m out from aim, and there may be not an Essendon participant wherever close to him and he is in a position to drill it on the run.
The Dons as soon as once more seem like they’re letting go of the rope somewhat bit.
The combat we noticed from the primary half of the second time period is nowhere to be seen proper now.
Solar 31 Might 2026 at 9:03pm
Waterman makes it seven straight for West Coast
That is all occurring a bit too simply for West Coast in the mean time.
Jake Waterman will get out the again of a marking contest deep inside 50 and kicks the straightforward one from contained in the sq..
It has been an Eagles avalanche because the half-time break. The present inside 50 rely reads 38-21 West Coast’s approach.
