Essendon had a point to prove against West Coast on Thursday night and a brilliant victory showed it has shaken its previously modest travelling record.

The 28-point win made it three interstate successes from the Bombers’ last four outings to break a run of seven consecutive losses in Perth, and star midfielder Zach Merrett was thrilled to be a part of the breakthrough.

“It’s really exciting to get a road win, I think we are three and one on the road now,” Merrett said post-match.

“At recent times we’ve been pretty poor, so to come over to West Coast and beat a top-two side is a super effort and something we should be really proud of.”

Merrett was outstanding on the ball with 30 disposals, 11 contested possessions and four clearances, but also showed his defensive prowess with four rebound-50s in the strong win.

Reluctant to blow his own trumpet, Merrett credited the entire midfield group with the impressive performance in which the Bombers led clearances 40 to 32 and contested possessions 143 to 127.

“I’m happy because we won. It seems cliché, but you’re always happy when you win,” he said.

“To be able to contribute and influence the game on a positive note for the team was super and I thought the boys around me were also massive.”

Devon Smith (23 disposals, six clearances, six tackles and three goals) and Dyson Heppell (27 disposals, 11 marks and six clearances) were among Merrett’s biggest helpers in the middle alongside Kyle Langford who continued his terrific form with 24 disposals, five clearances and a goal.

Essendon continues to gather momentum this season and Merrett said he was happy with the more consistent performance.

“We played the right way, the way we wanted to play, for most of the game and it obviously resulted in a good win.

“I think (the message) was just trying to play our way for longer and trying to keep improving every week at training and on game day.

While the Bombers became just the second team to beat the Eagles this year, Merrett said there is still plenty of work to be done.

“To beat West Coast – who are a super team and have been all year – is a really positive note.

“But we know we’ve got to keep improving and try and play 120 minutes of each game to try and compete with those really top sides consistently.”