Live AFL 2020, West Coast Eagles vs Essendon, Round 15 | Live scores, updates, stats, video, live blog, live stream

West Coast has kept itself in the top four race and likely ended Essendon’s season thanks to some straight kicking in a 15-point win at the Gabba.

The Eagles (10-4) didn’t have it all their own way against the Bombers (6-7-1), but as has so often been the case this year, their talented forwards took advantage of every opportunity.

With Josh Kennedy absent, Liam Ryan (four goals) and Jack Darling (two goals) stood up. In contrast the Bombers wasted golden chances meaning they were always having to fight from behind.

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But the night could prove costly for the Eagles with Luke Shuey coming off the ground late with a hamstring injury.

No hands, no worries

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QUARTER-BY-QUARTER RECAP

There were no late changes for either side.

Nic Naitanui found Liam Ryan inside 50 from the opening bounce, and the exciting Eagle kicked the opening goal, before Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti gave the Bombers a quick response.

Worryingly for Eagles fans, star defender Jeremy McGovern was spotted limping early in the game, but he stayed on the ground as Oscar Allen gave them the lead back.

The Bombers peppered the goals but Cale Hooker and Joe Daniher couldn’t convert, before Jack Darling goalled even after being poked in the eye accidentally by Marty Gleeson.

In the final seconds of the term Bailey Williams soccered home his first AFL goal, putting West Coast up 4.1 (25) to 1.4 (10) at quarter-time.

The Eagles “took the sting out of the game” in the second term, according to Brisbane great Jonathan Brown, playing at a slower tempo and controlling the ball with neither side able to kick a goal.

But then West Coast finally broke through the Bombers defence, with Liam Ryan and Jack Darling both adding majors. The Eagles kicked goals with their first six set shots.

Returning Essendon captain Dyson Heppell lifted his side with their second goal of the night but Andrew McGrath then limped off the ground with an ankle concern.

Bombers star on crutches!

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Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti added his second late in the term and a score review failed to overturn a controversial James Stewart goal, putting the Bombers down 4.5 (29) to 7.3 (45) at halftime.

The Dons had some chances to get right back into the game in the opening stages of the third quarter. Dylan Shiel completely sprayed a set shot and Joe Daniher’s wayward kicking continued, before McDonald-Tipungwuti’s third goal got them within nine points.

Tom Cole’s first career goal and a major from Liam Ryan moments before the siren then put the Eagles up 9.5 (59) to 5.8 (38) at the final break.

Luke Shuey had a fitness test at three-quarter-time with a hamstring concern, and came off the ground in the final minutes of the game.

McDonald-Tipungwuti’s fourth goal got the Bombers within 15 points with eight minutes left, but they couldn’t work many more chances after that.

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