WEST Coast has capped a month of massive improvement with a commanding 30-point win against an undermanned Essendon, overpowering the Bombers at Optus Stadium in the first match of rival coach Dean Solomon's caretaker stint.

Just four games since losing as favourites to a decimated Richmond at home, the Eagles this time took care of business when they were expected to, winning 12.13 (85) to 8.7 (55) in windy and slippery conditions.  

EAGLES v BOMBERS Full match coverage and stats

They controlled Sunday's contest for long periods and booted eight unanswered goals either side of half-time to build a 53-point lead, with Essendon kicking the last three goals of the game to trim the final margin. 

The impressive performance franked a run of form for the Eagles that started late against Melbourne a month ago, continuing with a win against Greater Western Sydney, a narrow loss against Collingwood at the MCG, and Sunday's WA Day-eve win, which was the biggest of the club's five under second-year coach Andrew McQualter. 

With matches to come against Port Adelaide and North Melbourne at Optus Stadium before their bye, the 4-8 Eagles have quickly put themselves in position to have a successful rebuilding season as their stars deliver.

Midfield gun Harley Reid was a star on Sunday night, playing with trademark physicality and finishing with 24 disposals and nine score involvements, lifting when the Bombers challenged early. 

Key defender Reuben Ginbey was outstanding in his match-up on Nate Caddy and enhanced his All-Australian prospects, while midfielder Tim Kelly was key to the Eagles' ball movement with a team-high 28 disposals. 

Half-forward Milan Murdock and tall target Jake Waterman each kicked three goals, with prized No.1 pick Willem Duursma putting his tricks on show with 25 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal. 

For the Bombers, who were already forced into five changes as their injury list swelled to 16 players, there was more damage as key forward Archie May suffered a dislocated shoulder. 

Midfielder Elijah Tsatas came into the 23 and had an impact at the coalface with 26 and six inside 50s, while physical draftee Sullivan Robey was terrific with 19 disposals and a game-high nine clearances, with the Bombers winning the stoppage battle convincingly (44-23) but failing to convert the advantage. 

Solomon's first and most obvious tweak as caretaker coach was to shift key defender Ben McKay forward from the opening centre bounce, with the 202cm big man playing as a sidekick to Caddy and a back-up ruck. 

He didn't see a lot of the ball early, with West Coast bringing a ferocious pressure game to the opening quarter and racking up the first 10 inside 50s, with Murdock striking for the first goal of the game while playing a defensive role on Archie Roberts.

Waterman snapped his first goal after marking in the pocket, with the Eagles benefiting from a strong breeze but also playing with composure and using their numbers well to control the game.  

The visitors were on the back foot already when they were dealt an injury blow after May suffered a dislocated shoulder during a crunching aerial contest, with the Bombers only avoiding a scoreless first quarter thanks to a late behind from Archer Day-Wicks.

The windy conditions ramped up in the second quarter and favoured the Dons, with Nik Cox and Day-Wicks kicking early goals as rubbish from the stands blew onto Optus Stadium and sheets of rain drenched the surface.

Day-Wicks' committed approach was evident in a courageous mark running with the flight, but the Bombers didn't take enough of their chances and left the door ajar for a late West Coast rally, with Harvey Johnston and Jobe Shanahan kicking back-to-back goals. 

Then Reid provided the highlight of the first half, crumbing the ball inside 50, baulking, and then fighting off a tackle from Zach Reid to snap a terrific goal and restore a 20-point lead for his team at half-time.  

That might have looked attainable for the Bombers if they could get the game back on their terms in the third quarter, but a free kick against Jaxon Prior before the ball was thrown up saw Murdock kick his second goal, sparking a run of five.  

Bailey Williams, Willem Duursma, and Waterman all booted goals before half-back Tom McCarthy kicked his first in the AFL in his 22nd game, extending the margin to 50 points in the blink of an eye. 

The Bombers fought on and got some late reward for their efforts, with Caddy booting back-to-back goals in the fourth quarter and Zach Merrett (28 disposals) capping his day with a late goal.

A step forward for McKay 
Ben McKay has worked closely with Dean Solomon this year in the backline, but the caretaker coach used his first game in charge to send the key defender forward, resulting in the 28-year-old's first goal since round 15, 2022 when he was a North Melbourne player. McKay has struggled for form in defence but was able to get involved at different times in attack and as a back-up ruck, winning a free kick in the third term to earn his second career goal. The big man went into the ruck when Nick Bryan needed a rest and finished with six hitouts and six clearances. 

Eagles backline has bounced back 
There was fierce pressure on West Coast's backline earlier this season as key forwards got hold of them, but Reuben Ginbey's outstanding form is lifting those around him – including tall defender Tylar Young – and transforming the team's fortunes. Ginbey was ferocious on Sunday night, recovering from poor positions to impact contests and setting the standard with his desperation. He is well and truly in the All-Australian conversation and jumped to his feet on the bench to get back on the field when his man Nate Caddy kicked a late goal. Caddy added a second, but Ginbey took the points in a battle between two young stars. 

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