West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern has been placed on report as the Eagles overcame a bad case of the goalkicking yips to post a 35-point AFL win over Essendon.
The Eagles booted 7.14 in the opening half of Thursday’s clash at Optus Stadium, with Josh Kennedy entering the long break with 1.5 to his name.
But the Bombers failed to make the most of their numerous reprieves, with West Coast running out 14.22 (106) to 11.5 (71) winners in a dominant display in front of 52,810 fans.
Kennedy finished with 3.5, while Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff, Jack Redden and Dom Sheed dominated through the midfield.
West Coast won the inside 50m count 64-40.
AFL match review officer Michael Christian, meanwhile, faces some big decisions after a series of incidents.
McGovern was placed on report in the opening term after pushing Matt Guelfi into the fence just after the Bomber released a handball.
Guelfi crashed into a plastic chair and then head-first into the fence.
The 21-year-old looked dazed as he went off for treatment.
Although Guelfi briefly returned to the field, he came to the bench soon after and was ruled out with suspected concussion and possible broken ribs.
Guelfi was taken to hospital in a taxi during the third quarter as a precaution.
Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers also faces a nervous wait for his high bump on Shuey.
Shuey was bent over the ball when Bellchambers turned his hips to crunch the Eagle on the top of the head.
And Bombers defender Mason Redman was placed on report in the second quarter for stamping on Oscar Allen with a back heel.
Allen was on the ground when he grabbed at Redman’s foot as the Bomber stepped over him. Redman responded by stamping Allen in the ribs with a sharp but not overly strong motion.
West Coast (9-4) moved into the AFL top four with the win, while Essendon (6-7) face an uphill battle to play finals football.
Essendon led by 10 points late in the opening term, but the game was turned on its head from that point on.
West Coast posted 20 consecutive inside 50s either side of quarter-time, with only their inaccuracy saving Essendon from a first-half blowout.
But when Kennedy nailed two goals in as many minutes to start the third, the floodgates had well and truly opened as West Coast opened up a match-winning 44-point lead.
Essendon forward Orazio Fantasia, who was pinched relentlessly by Hawthorn captain Ben Stratton last week, was held to just six disposals by Brad Sheppard.
Zach Merrett (30 disposals) and Dyson Heppell (30) tried hard, but the Bombers were simply outclassed by a superior side.
