Star Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett says the side’s heavy loss to West Coast on Thursday was a wake-up call on where the Bombers sit in the competition.

The reigning premier proved too classy throughout the evening at Optus Stadium, running away with a 35-point victory that Merrett admitted flattered the Bombers on the scoreboard.

The Eagles gathered just one more disposal than the Dons but generated 64 inside 50s to 40 leading to 36 scoring shots to Essendon’s 16 in an impressive display of their talent that could take them deep into the finals again.

“I think the scoreboard was a bit flattering really, they had a lot more scoring shots and inside 50s, so we won’t read into the scoreboard too much,” Merrett said after the defeat.

“They dominated us for most of the game and in most facets, so we’re going to have some good learnings out of that and hopefully take it forward.

“(A positive was) the opportunity to play against the reigning premier and a top-two-or-three team in the comp.

“We know we’re not quite there yet and to play against those teams you realise how far you are off the ball and the level you have to get to individually and as a team.”

Merrett said a failure to connect across the ground was what cost the Bombers as they were punished by one of the league’s leading premiership contenders, but he is confident the side can learn from the clash ahead of another huge challenge against Greater Western Sydney next Thursday. 

“Whenever you lose, you’re disappointed and the way we played wasn’t near the standard that is required against a really quality team.

“West Coast was far too good tonight and it’s disappointing, but we know that in footy you’ve always got to rock up next week and get ready to go.

“As disappointed as we all are as a group, coaches and players, we need to recover up well and get ready for the Giants.

“It’s hard to pinpoint one thing that went wrong, I think we all weren’t connected tonight as a team and when you’re not connected against really good sides, you get punished.

"It’s something we’ll hopefully learn from and be better next week against the Giants.”

The Bombers faced a tough battle on the ball against the Eagles. (Image: AFL Photos)

Merrett was one of the shining lights for the Bombers on Thursday, claiming 30 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six tackles, five clearances and a goal assist.

The 23-year-old is a key pillar in the club’s exciting young midfield and he is hopeful greater chemistry will come with time as the on-ball brigade grows together.

“We’re all pretty young in there, so the more games you get together it hopefully is going to mean we improve together and are together for four, five, six, seven, eight years going forward.

“We’re trying to set the right platform going forward and making sure we’re doing it the right way.

“We got taught a lesson tonight through the midfield with (Eagle Dom) Sheed and the like in there, so we learnt a fair bit but we’re going in the right direction, so we’re looking forward to getting back to training and getting to the Giants.”

The clash with Greater Western Sydney is set to begin at 7:20pm at Marvel Stadium next Thursday.