West Coast Eagles finally break longest losing streak in club history with 10-point win over Essendon Bombers

Willie Rioli dazzled and Josh Kennedy turned back time to lead West Coast to a drought-breaking and morale-boosting victory over Essendon at Optus Stadium on Friday night.

The Eagles ended a club record nine-match losing run, snapped a streak of nine straight losses at their home ground and jumped off the bottom of the ladder with their upset 10-point win over the Bombers.

In front of a raucous crowd of 40,933 that desperately willed their team across the line, Rioli shone with 19 disposals, three goals and four clearances as West Coast kicked their highest score of the season in the 16.11 (107) to 14.13 (97) victory.

Essendon coach Ben Rutten was left to lament how his side lost after winning the inside-50 count 58-42.

Camera Icon Elliot Yeo’s return to half-back has reinvigorated his season. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

Having trailed by 22 points in the first quarter, the Eagles surged back into the contest on the back of an improved midfield effort as Kennedy kicked five goals and Elliot Yeo again impressed as a defensive rebounder.

Kennedy’s return of 5.0, his biggest bag in more than two years, stood in contrast to opposing spearhead Peter Wright’s 4.4.

It was the Eagles’ first win at home for 11 months, after they beat St Kilda in round 19 last year, and just their fourth victory in 23 matches since last year’s mid-season bye.

The result lifted West Coast off the bottom of the ladder and they will finish the round in 17th position unless North Melbourne defeat Adelaide on Sunday.

The Eagles will enjoy a nine-day break ahead of their first visit to the MCG this season, when they take on Richmond next Sunday. The Tigers dished out a 109-point flogging to an undermanned West Coast in round seven in Adam Simpson’s heaviest loss as coach.

Camera Icon It was a vintage display from Josh Kennedy, who kicked five goals. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

The Eagles could welcome back ruckman Nic Naitanui should he successfully navigate his comeback from a knee injury in the WAFL on Saturday.

Having kicked 14.3 in their only previous win of the season against Collingwood in round four, the Eagles again rode their straight kicking as they booted 9.3 by three-quarter time to hold a five-point lead over the Bombers.

They held on despite late goals to Nic Martin and Harry Jones giving them a scare.

West Coast’s five-point half-time lead came despite the home side being dominated in the contested possession (69-50), clearance (20-13) and inside-50 (31-21) counts.