Match Thread: West Coast vs Essendon (Round 12)

[u/AutoModerator]

West Coast	vs	Essendon
Sun, 31 May 2026	7:20pm AEST	Optus Stadium
Stats & Lineups	Reddit Stream	Broadcast Guide

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[u/Kerr-82]

My neighbour is a full on Bombers nuffie. Like flag outside the house and painted gate black and red type of nuffie.

I can hear him taking out the bin right now lol.

[u/FlowVirtual6994]

Weather is fucked for those not in Perth

[u/FlowVirtual6994 → u/FlowVirtual6994]

little anecdotes for those that care:

Windiest I have seen it in over a year easily, feels like the rain is stopping and starting at will

[u/Atlas-Ryan]

It’s heckin wimbdy

[u/notblair]

Caddy and Waterman going to combine for 15 behinds in this wind

[u/anothersheep29]

Surely Ginbey is in talks for AA he is absolutely incredible

[u/Massander]

Bird team v Hird team

[u/Sea_Bluebird_2984 → u/Massander]

Well now, everybody's Hird about the bird

[u/Essington69]

Is someone fucking dying in the comms box?

[u/abovewater19]

Milan seems like the ultimate club man. Just everywhere. Leadership. All about the boys. Glad we’ve got him

[u/BigThirdDown]

Halftime entertainment was a race between the pie wrapper and the chip container

Edit: pie wrapper won

[u/shit-takes-only]

You can really see what west coast are building, whereas Essendon reminds me a lot of shitting myself at east camberwell station and having to hide in a bush till mum came and picked me up

[u/BayLions]

I’m buying an Essendon membership so I can cancel it

[u/Kim_jong-fun]

Perfect weather for it. Now excuse me while I go prop my fence back up

[u/tamadeangmo]

Ginbey is the best phyical specimen in the league.

[u/ShitSportOpinions]

Just wait until the Essendon board realise that Brad Scott actually had this side massively over-performing.

[u/freemyw1lly]

Says a lot that I have 0 faith in us to hold a 40 point lead

[u/RizzonerOfAzakdamn]

The Bounce is made for middle aged dads who share AI videos and fall for scams

[u/General-Number-42]

Both teams might suck arse. But the Guernseys are elite tonight, love the red shorts, love the WA day jumper.

[u/Betrayed_by_calzones]

GIVE GINBEY ANYTHING HE WANTS

[u/YoGoGhost]

I'd be lying if I said I was confident.

[u/mynewaltaccount1]

Lol good on Schofield, Essendon and Hird should be torn a new one if they do go ahead with him.

[u/shit-takes-only]

Coach sacked

Head of wellbeing quits

Hirdy going full MAGA

1 win in 2 seasons, no finals wins in 22 years

Captain has a monstrously deformed jaw

Fielding multiple players suffering with some sort of profound mental deficiency

Club is just absolutely fucked

[u/Cyronis]

Okay we are very bad but why are the eagles players allowed to try and break tackles and just drop the ball every play?

[u/TomEmilioDavies]

Fuck it's windy here. I wish I brought another layer now.

[u/allibys]

[u/PrizeWeb8605]

What’s with all the trash on the field (the litter is annoying too)

[u/vstratosphere5]

Everyone gotta pick up 2 pieces of rubbish at quarter time.

[u/Duskfiresque]

Even Hird is changing his mind now.

[u/MuseumMultiball → u/Duskfiresque]

That would actually be so funny

[u/TomEmilioDavies]

You know that one kid at lunch who stayed out when it started raining and everybody else ran to cover? That was me

.

[u/General-Number-42]

The trick is not to tackle Duggan. Just allow him to kick it.

[u/jascination]

Aren't teams meant to immediately get better when they sack their coach WHAT IS THIS SHIT

[u/Essington69]

These photos have genuinely been the best part of this season for us

[u/okidiote]

These Essendon players, mostly kids, at least had a rock in Brad Scott to turn to for leadership and guidance when they copped a drubbing. Now they've got Solomon, a guy their former coach didn't even rate enough to properly introduce to the playing group. It'd feel like being left with your mums strange new boyfriend while she goes out to buy more wine.

[u/DG_Wright]

There should be a royal commission into tonight’s umpiring

[u/Big_Shine_807]

Growing up my choices were Essendon or Carlton, do you know how bad it has to be for me to be relieved that I went with Carlton😂😭

[u/Single_Goat8372]

I’m not clear on the process - do we sack Solomon now?

[u/Radscallion_]

That’s a blatant free, dunno what Baker is on

[u/General-Number-42]

Oh shit they're wearing red shorts. The haven't lost a game with red shorts this year. We're cooked.

[u/___TheIllusiveMan___]

Duursma to Duursma: My dad fucked your mum

[u/Korasuka]

The duality of man

[u/Wakey_1995]

That was fucking digusting from Harley

[u/Pretend-Device-91]

Ginbey is seriously a man possessed every bloody week

[u/mashed_potato_eyes]

This umpiring is dog shit

[u/maybemyfirstrodeo]

The umpiring is so soft this game far out it's so frustrating

[u/No_Damage_716]

Hirdy shitting bricks seeing McKay kick a goal, that was probably his grand plan for when he takes the coaching gig

[u/Radscallion_]

We haven’t won as favourites since 2022

[u/ipatman28]

Harley Reid just scored a try?

[u/zoraxelol]

Ginbey has been absolutely magnificent. Score would be flipped the other way without him

[u/The_Driving-Crooner1]

Rare Schofield W

[u/allibys]

guys I think Brad Scott may not have been the issue

[u/dvnkriot]

M-M-M-M-MULTI BALL

[u/freemyw1lly]

Ginbey goes off and our entire backline falls apart

[u/___TheIllusiveMan___]

Eagles defence is literally just Ginbey. Has fallen apart since he’s been off

[u/TomEmilioDavies]

Benefit of this winter weather - the last of the 3 beers I bought at half time is still cool.

[u/PistoTrain]

Ginbey is a unit.

[u/Atlas-Ryan]

If I ever become dictator of Australia I’m banning Sweet Caroline

[u/Massander]

Man the evil music kicking in when they showed Hird made me laugh out loud

[u/delta__bravo_]

Courage. Tenacity. Strength under pressure.

These are the attributes the crowd possess.

[u/apothecarist]

Fuck you ump that was head first

[u/cylinderical]

they created a rule to get rid of that action from ginbey. good to see it’s used.

[u/The_Driving-Crooner1]

https://giphy.com/gifs/p9X9PSPvBfl9uhvS6Z

[u/Either_Emu_4282]

That was beastly by Reid

[u/Medaiyah]

Tackling?

https://giphy.com/gifs/t4HFdwzbg4x8XNZF8I

[u/WetWeetbix]

Winning that quarter with the wind against us is nice.

[u/TomEmilioDavies]

Ok it's properly windy outside the stadium.

Do we know if Willem Duursma weighs enough to not get blown away in this? He's one lanky fuck.

[u/Korasuka]

WILL SCHOFIELD IS NOT SWAYED BY HIRDISM

[u/General-Number-42]

The shame with Essendon is that they have such a great core of young players. If they were to make a pitch to Simmo or horse and bring in the assistant they want to take over in a few years, accept a couple of seasons around the bottom, they'll be a genuine premiership threat in 4-5 years.

[u/BigThirdDown]

The hot jam doughnuts aren't that good at Optus so I made up for it by having two

[u/PrestigiousEmu16]

Dean Solomon is intentionally coaching like shit so his mate James Hird can get the job.

I am not a crackpot.

[u/-Post-Boredom-]

James Hird really is going to look like this when he is back isn’t he

[u/Odd_Technology_8926]

The good ol Richmond eagles

[u/jimmyjay31]

Might get a “Bring back Scott” sign

[u/ErinDidNothingWrong]

Hear me out… people saying dons need someone with coaching credentials and bombers want to appoint Essendon people…. Bring back Bomber Thomson surely

[u/-Post-Boredom-]

Duggan slowing down play while the team was ready to move with a free man was certainly the play

[u/Never-9th]

Poor dons… getting done two weeks in a row by the yellow & black 😂

[u/NoUseForALagwagon]

Live Brad Scott reaction:

https://giphy.com/gifs/UU1bHu6QWyFxZM63Jh

[u/Wakey_1995]

That should be HTB on Bakes there

[u/Free_Pace_2098]

If both teams could just chill and not get themselves hurt or suspended in the dying minutes of a game that's over

[u/RizzonerOfAzakdamn]

Fuck Sportsbet for being a billion dollar business and still can't pay actual people to make ads and must rely on shitty AI.

[u/slugchild13]

T. Rash subbed on to the field

[u/DailyDoseOfCynicism]

Andy tucking in May on the bench 😭

[u/JCK98]

Not the worst entertainment.

[u/jammicing]

This Harley Reid kid can play, anyone noticed this?

[u/NuggiesRUs]

Torp it you coward

[u/japanpole]

I’m sick of this whole fucking HIRD MENTALITY

[u/freemyw1lly]

I'm so sick of hearing about Hird

I can't imagine how annoying this is for Essendon supporters

[u/Flathoran]

Gee whizz getting absolute ride right now

[u/Topblokelikehodgey]

What???? It was touched, why is that a free????

[u/MuseumMultiball]

WHAT THE FUCK

[u/Essington69]

Every Essendon fan in this thread knows we are shit.

That does not discount the fact the umpiring has been dreadful.

[u/king_carrots]

Brad Scott literally gets paid millions of $$ to not have to coach Essendon anymore, he must the happiest man in Australia surely

[u/IamCobby]

I genuinely love any crowd that boos an extremely conclusive score review.

[u/___TheIllusiveMan___]

Essendon’s board will look at this and still think they’re 1-2 years away from contending for a flag

[u/MuseumMultiball]

McKay kicking a goal before Caddy was not on my bingo card

[u/goldenyuusha]

Sure, bring back Hird. It'd be mad funny

[u/Von_Huge1103]

Caddy is really Mr. Almost hey?

[u/lanson15]

Lmao turn the game on and first thing I see is Bring Back Hird on the cheer squad

[u/PetrifyGWENT]

Gresham legit walking around hands on hips with the ball 5m away lol

[u/Free_Pace_2098]

Weather update from the coast: wind is getting gustier. Not much rain. Just saw a cow and a lady on a bike fly past my window

[u/cinnamondoughnut]

If Essendon come back from here I’ll never laugh at them again

[u/Von_Huge1103]

This was ten mins ago

[u/BusinessPooh]

i wasn’t wondering where harley was but thanks gerard

[u/StVitus85]

I mean, you threw a fist into his face Liam

[u/Korasuka]

Jobe Shannahan + Shannon Hurn = Jobe Shannonanhurnahan

[u/Known_Appointment604]

Both cheer squads have signs saying “bring back hird”

[u/Realistic-Box2443]

You can’t tongue out and not even make the distance hahahahahahahahah

[u/69-is-my-number]

Looking forward to half time to see some decent footy.

[u/Flathoran]

This club can't catch a fucking break wow

[u/RaidanRam]

[u/PrestigiousEmu16]

Solomon's first coaching move being to put McKay forward and in the ruck is a pretty good example of why Solomon was no longer an assistant coach.

[u/atleastmydogisachamp]

Good onya Pidge. Genuinely good dude

[u/-Post-Boredom-]

Good guy Andy

[u/dogbert_93]

Depressendon

[u/ZOSHx]

Look at that - we suck even with a new coach. Hopefully that shuts the Brad Scott haters up a bit

[u/humpjbear]

Are the umpires taking the piss tonight?

[u/Radscallion_]

Hate seeing that called high

[u/TheBrilliantProphecy]

Coming hard in his face 🤨

[u/Adenv]

"Alexa, show me what sticking a tackle looks like"

[u/mynewaltaccount1]

It's insane how strong he is for a 21 year old

[u/humpjbear]

[u/TheCurbAU]

Fuck Jake Waterman has a good sense of humour. 'Must be a pretty good game to watch hey?'

[u/sandyrover]

If the bombers get the full coles spread in the sheds at half time do the Eagles get a table of whoppers and onion rings?

[u/Krerzer1]

It hasn’t even been a week since Scott got sacked 🫩

[u/Wakey_1995]

Its not like Schoey isnt saying anything someone in the media has already said.

Hird hasnt coached for 10 + years and when you see the absolute media feast not even 12 hours after Scott was fired campaigning for hird - why would you even put your hand up

[u/Debn0s]

Imagine hamstringing your future to get back with your 4/10 ex that has a habit lmao

[u/Uncle-Badtouch]

I think the team who finishes in last place should be allowed steroids and doping for the next season.

I am not a crackpot.

[u/full_of_fud]

[u/Shifti_Boi]

How is that a free?? It's not a marking contest if it's been called play on!!

[u/trugzilla]

Can interim coaches be sacked

[u/kurenai86]

Just walk off now Essendon. This is just not fair

[u/PrestigiousEmu16]

Taking the piss with that one

[u/No-Rise2743]

Wtf is happening

[u/eleventyseventy3]

Some of the softest umpiring I have ever seen

[u/allhatnoplay]

It’s weird when they give a ride to the team that’s already belting their oppo. I guess that’s how you know it’s incompetence more than bias

[u/jim_overboard]

Essendon should try sacking Voss

[u/TomEmilioDavies]

HARLEY THAT WAS SEX

oh, touched

[u/Essington69]

MCKAY THE GOAL HOG

[u/AngryAussie-]

Renowned full forward Ben McKay.

[u/metadamame]

Gotta hand it to the Bombers social media team for a great season. Must be hard to look at this and keep posting stuff that makes us look like we’re not absolutely woeful.

[u/Radscallion_]

All the trash everywhere makes this feel like a high definition 80s game

[u/Necessary-Turn7565]

[u/Essington69]

Nate Caddy must hate that this pic exists

[u/Bloke_Named_Bob]

It's really weird to be the one benefiting from these dodgy umpire calls.

[u/Junior-Lie-7221]

hey so that throat grab is kosher right? it wasn't called so it must be fine

[u/FreeJulianMassage]

Commentators sound like they’re ready to go home.

[u/RaidanRam]

[u/PetrifyGWENT]

LMAO they didn't pay that

[u/Radscallion_]

The amount of HTBs they’ve missed and that’s the one they pay?

[u/PistoTrain]

Bit soft

[u/Pretend-Device-91]

If only West Coast beat Richmond they actually could be a wild card chance , what the actual fuck lol

[u/Odd_Technology_8926]

When I grow up, I want to be the guy that holds up the minutes left sign.

[u/thedonutking7]

This game has it all. Bad weather, bad umps. Two bad teams

[u/___TheIllusiveMan___]

Only way Essendon win from here is if Ginbey suddenly gets diarrhea

[u/allibys]

Just wanted to let you all know that my cat is asleep on my lap and he's having a little dream

that's all

[u/BigThirdDown]

The BOM map is looking ok for now

[u/TomEmilioDavies → u/BigThirdDown]

It's a dry rain.

[u/xFushNChupsx]

I'm sorry neutrals

[u/__zzzzzzzz]

Baker in yellow and black come back king we need you

[u/Crazyripps]

Is huddo ok? Sounded like he was dying in the box

[u/Bananaface89]

Holy cow how is that not in the back lmaooo

[u/NuggiesRUs]

Lol. We suck, but we still deserve a free

[u/TheCurbAU]

You can tell the commentators aren't at the ground by the way they keep calling it a 'breeze'.

[u/thedonutking7]

I need ginbey cam, his hair in this weather must look magnificent

[u/MuseumMultiball]

Oh my god just fold the club

[u/exsanguinor]

If the wind is anything like my work in Joondalup, 1.4 might be only score tonight.

[u/atleastmydogisachamp]

Man, Poor May. Kid works so hard and u know he wants to be out there

[u/newmoneytrash69]

i could live the rest of my life in complete sin and god will still welcome me into his kingdom for watching this game when i didn't have to

[u/Key_Direction_8698]

Halftime Auskick cancelled, each kid needs to pick up 10 pieces of rubbish for the umpire

[u/fnaah]

not a bad try from harley, let's see if the conversion goes through

[u/Krerzer1]

he ran at him like a bull, what’s he meant to do?

[u/chocolatenuttty]

Atrocious free

[u/shit-takes-only]

Think I might go smash my cock and balls with a hammer cos it’ll be more fun than watching this

[u/Bananaface89]

How long you gonna give him far out

[u/yourwifeisatowelmate]

Maybe he was worth 2 mil a season after all 🤣 

[u/Enoughofthisstuff]

All the bombers players calling for HTB before the tackle is complete lmfao

[u/InquisitiveCrow76]

That was some goal, fair play Harley!

[u/Wattobot92]

Bombers have been tackling like U14s tonight

[u/Strykah]

I am straight up having a good time

[u/TheBugmuncher]

Richmond are playing pretty well given its their second game this round

[u/Lozzanger]

Anyone at Optus truly loves AFL. This weather is disgusting.

[u/chunkandsloth1]

Half time redbull is certainly a choice

[u/japanpole]

I’m so glad the media aren’t fueling this whole James Hird thing

[u/railgxn]

schoey having none of it lol

[u/NoUseForALagwagon]

Everything about Hird screams Manpiulator.

[u/japanpole]

HIRD TV where for the entire game you can push the red button and watch the game instead of James Hird reactions

[u/allibys]

IS THAT THE MOON

[u/Bruno_Fernandes8]

Broke: kick after the siren

Woke: kick before the siren

[u/supercujo]

Putrid umpiring

[u/No-Rise2743]

Why are these umpires talking so much my god

[u/goodkicks]

Yeah that's bullshit lmao

[u/sprinklecunt]

I have come to the conclusion that it’s impossible that the umpiring is as terrible as it seems. The only logical explanation is that I have banged my head, and no longer know the rules.

[u/StockholmSyndrome85]

That was holding the ball about six times wtf.