An outstanding all-round game by ruckman David Hille steered Essendon to a breakthrough victory over West Coast in their round 12 AFL game at Telstra Dome.

Hille's three goals and great work around the ground and a classic hanger by skipper Matthew Lloyd were the highlights in the Bombers' 22-point win, which snapped an eight-game losing streak.

The Dons dominated early but squandered a raft of chances, but gained some impetus through the last three goals of the first half, and held on to win 16.17 (113) to 13.13 (91) before a crowd of 33,386.

But the result will have no bearing on the top eight, as Essendon's win leapfrogged them to 13th position over the Eagles (14th), who have now lost their past three games.

Hille played one of his best games for Essendon in a performance that yielded 27 disposals, nine marks and 22 hit-outs, strong body work around the ground, great field kicking and agility to pick up balls around his ankles.

He bombed a massive goal on the run just before quarter-time to give the Dons the lead, kicked one from a mark in the second term and then read the play nicely to poach a rover's goal off the pack in the third.

Although West Coast's Dean Cox was one of his side's better players, Hille's performance in bettering the All-Australian big man was a big win for the Bombers, given West Coast entered the match without their other major gun, Daniel Kerr.

Lloyd provided the moment of the night with a classic hanger over Beau Wilkes early in the final quarter, and his resultant goal - and resultant jubilation - sealed Essendon's victory.

Scott Lucas also booted three goals for Essendon, young gun Kyle Reimers sparkled on a wing - partly courtesy of his orange boots - and Adam McPhee worked hard across half-forward.

David Wirrpanda booted four goals for the Eagles, but missed set shot halfway through the final quarter which would have brought his side within three goals with plenty of time left.

Essendon suffered from inaccuracy early, but West Coast probably missed more easy shots including four successive behinds before half-time.

Adam Hunter and Mark LeCras both booted three goals, while Andrew Embley was good on a wing and Jamie McNamara did well in defence.

Essendon also went into the match minus a key player, as speedster Andrew Lovett was ill.

Essendon coach Matthew Knights said Hille's performance went a long way towards ensuring victory, after he urged the ruckman to be positive against Cox.

"I just spoke to him about backing himself even though the big fella's (Cox) a great player, but he (Hille) in his own right is having a good year, so I wanted him to attack the contest and see if he could gather some disposals as well, rather than (play) a shut-down role," he said.

"He's ended with up 27 disposals, David, which is a pretty amazing effort for a ruckman."

Knights was also delighted with Lloyd's performance given the recent pressure he has been under amid a below-par season.

Lloyd suffered a knock at training yesterday, but made the call to play, and played up the ground, where he was able to throw himself into the fray.

"He led at the ball, competed, kept the feet under tackle and duress and excited his teammates and the people in the ground with a couple of his efforts in the air," Knights said.

"He put a pretty big smile on the coach's face when he sat on that bloke's head."

In another nod to Hille, West Coast coach John Worsfold started Cox on the bench in the final quarter as he thought Quinten Lynch was performing better in the ruck.

Kerr suffered a calf strain during last week's loss to Sydney which meant the Eagles opted not to risk him.

"If you'd ask Kerr, he was pushing hard to play," Worsfold said.

"But he's certainly got a strain there and the odds were that he wouldn't see the game out this week, so that would force him out for another few."

Knights said he was proud of the way his players had stayed positive during their losing run but Worsfold was disappointed his young players could not maintain their vigour.

"Early they did, but they didn't sustain it," he said.

"But that's been the story for most of the year, haven't been able to sustain it over four quarters."