A Nic Naitanui-inspired West Coast has kicked off its NAB Cup campaign with a convincing 35-point victory over Essendon at Subiaco on Friday night.
Trailing by 30 points during the second quarter, the Eagles worked their way back into the contest by half-time before kicking seven goals to the Bombers three behinds in the third term.
The sting went out of the contest in the final stanza but the damage had been done - the Eagles eventually winning 1.16.12 (117) to 0.12.10 (82).
With Dean Cox on the sidelines, Naitanui stepped up as the No.1 ruckman and impressed with his vertical leap and second efforts at ground level.
Last season the 19-year-old appeared awkward and out of step with the game but there's no doubt he's made significant improvements since 2009.
He finished with 18 disposals, 21 hit-outs and four goals. Chris Masten and Matthew Priddis collected 24 disposals each while Daniel Kerr and Quinten Lynch were busy too.
Bombers captain Jobe Watson won 32 touches, Mark McVeigh and Brent Prismall were also strong but none of the visitors had a significant impact after quarter time.
The Eagles got their pre-season off to a dream start with a leading Ash Hansen and a strong marking Josh Kennedy giving their side an early break.
But after a slow opening, the Bombers warmed to the task with the visitors scoring seven of the next eight majors.
Angus Monfries and Jason Winderlich chimed in with a couple of goals each while Kyle Reimers' running effort on 50 metres was a reward for some good team play.
Essendon was looking the goods with a 24-point buffer at the first break.
Former Hawk Mark Williams kicked his first goal in Bombers colours and then doubled his tally to increase the margin to 30 points during the second term.
But this time it was the Eagles who rallied with Naitanui's ground work and growing confidence bringing his team-mates into the contest.
Quick ball movement saw Andrew Embley, Masten and Mark LeCras add their names to the scoreboard while Naitanui snapped a goal from a tight angle to bring the home side back within striking distance at the 22-minute mark.
With 14 seconds left on the clock, the Eagles thought they had snuck in front when Embley soccered a ball across the goal line. But the umpires convened and deemed the ball had hit the post before the veteran got his boot to it.
Hansen was chased down by Tayte Pears but won a free kick for a push in the back and put his side in front by two points with the opening goal of the second half.
And when Naitanui registered the first supergoal of the contest (courtesy of a 50-metre penalty in the midfield) the momentum was with West Coast.
Essendon tried hard to resist the home side's surge but it couldn't apply any scoreboard pressure.
West Coast rattled home four majors in five minutes, including two to LeCras, to open up a match-winning 41-point advantage at three-quarter time.
The Eagles went even further in front in the early stages of the fourth term before Williams kicked his third major, ending a 13-goal run by the home side.
WEST COAST: 0.3.1, 0.8.5, 1.14.8, 1.16.12 (117)
ESSENDON: 0.7.1, 0.9.3, 0.9.6, 0.12.10 (82)
SUPER GOALS: WEST COAST: Naitanui
ESSENDON:
GOALS: WEST COAST: LeCras 3, Kennedy 3, Naitanui 3, Hansen 2, Rosa, Embley, Masten, Schofield, Nicoski
ESSENDON: Williams 3, Monfries 2, Winderlich 2, Jetta 2, Still, Reimers, Zaharakis
BEST: WEST COAST: Naitanui, Priddis, Masten, Kerr, Lynch, Lecras
ESSENDON: Watson, McVeigh, Fletcher, Prismall
INJURIES: WEST COAST: Nil
ESSENDON: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Michael Vozzo (2), Matt Stevic (9), Troy Pannell (28)
CROWD 23,860 at Subiaco Oval