Essendon coach Brad Scott is relieved the Bombers learned a "harsh lesson" through a thrilling one-point win rather than a monumental West Coast upset result.
Kyle Langford stepped up to be the hero as the Bombers survived an almighty scare to pip the brave Eagles 10.13 (73) to 11.6 (72) at Marvel Stadium
Down by 30 points early in the third quarter, the Eagles dominated the second half and hit the lead with 100 seconds left through a Ryan Maric goal.
But Langford, who kicked four goals in the second quarter, was able to sneak out the back and run in to slot his fifth major and put Essendon immediately back in front.
West Coast threatened again, winning the next centre clearance, but Bombers defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher took a game-saving contested mark in the Eagles' forward 50.
"Part of the challenge we've got to work through is that we are a very young and inexperienced team who have shown an ability to get up for games against a really high-quality of opposition," Scott said.
"One of the third hallmarks of a young and inexperienced team is that potentially when they think things are just going to happen for them, they learn a harsh lesson.
"Now fortunately, we learned a harsh lesson with a one-point win when rather than a five-point loss."
The last-gasp win keeps Essendon's finals dream alive, giving them a 10-10 record. The Bombers could be only half-a-game out of the top-eight by the end of the round.
They will likely need to win all of their remaining games against North Melbourne, GWS (away) and Collingwood to be assured of playing finals after failing to boost their poor percentage against the Eagles.
"We've got the four points. We've won 10 games, and with three games to go, we're still in the hunt," Scott said.
Last week's drought-breaking win over North Melbourne appeared to give the visitors a shot of confidence they have been lacking nearly all year.
West Coast travelled to Melbourne having won just four of their previous 45 games, but managed to outplay Essendon for long periods.
If the Eagles had won, they would have jumped off the bottom of the ladder and gone a game clear of North Melbourne, putting the Kangaroos in the box-seat to claim the No.1 draft pick.
But instead West Coast were left heartbroken, with premiership players like Elliot Yeo slumping to the floor as the fulltime siren sounded.
"It's a missed opportunity, absolutely no doubt about that," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.
"We hit the front with a minute 40 (seconds) to go; we haven't been in that position a lot.
"We'll learn from a coaching point of view as well, it was just good to be in the game two weeks in a row.
"Guys really fighting hard for the victory, but unfortunately we couldn't ice it."
Langford was clearly best-on-ground in a scrappy affair, while captain Zach Merrett was important with 29 disposals.
Tim Kelly starred for the Eagles, collecting 30 possessions and never stopping running.
