Essendon are hoping to put a week of controversy behind them when they take on a rejuvenated West Coast outfit in Perth on Saturday night.
The Bombers (4-1-2, 93.7%) were forced to apologise to rival coach Luke Beveridge over comments made by star Sam Draper on a podcast.
While Draper is one of two exclusions from the side this weekend due to knee soreness, his comments have still put his side firmly in the spotlight heading into the clash with the Eagles.
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Set a deposit limit.
West Coast (2-4, 74.1%) meantime welcome back their rising star Harley Reid after he missed last week’s loss due to a trip home.
Reid is one of four inclusions including veteran Tom Barrass and debutant Harvey Johnston, who is starting as the sub.
The game gets underway at 8:10pm AEST from Optus Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Sports 503, streaming on Kayo and via Hubbl from 8pm AEST.
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
The Eagles were forced to make a late change with veteran Dom Sheed given a reprieve when Ryan Maric was ruled out of the contest through illness.
Neither side could find an early avenue to goal amid some “sloppy” skills as the two teams deployed a loose man down back.
“You can’t go quick in this instance – otherwise you are kicking to their spare. That’s why it’s a bit of an arm-wrestle right now,” commentator Will Schofield said.
Bomber Peter Wright broke the deadlock after more than 14 minutes before Jake Waterman’s rich vein of form continued down the other end for West Coast moments later.
Commentator Matthew Pavlich said the Eagles were left to “hang on” as Essendon found their rhythm – but just couldn’t put it on the scoreboard with 2.5.
Follow West Coast v Essendon in our live blog below!
