It wasn't electrifying but it didn't have to be as Tim Kelly was unveiled by West Coast amid thunder, lightning and hail in a dramatic Marsh Community Series clash against Essendon at Mineral Resources Park.

The Eagles' star recruit worked into his first game in blue and gold before motoring home on a night where Josh Kennedy fired a warning shot with six goals, franking his excellent pre-season. 

As West Coast ticked boxes, the undermanned Bombers fired a warning shot of their own, playing with spirit and dare to win the clash 14.11 (95) to 13.9 (87) in a match that was interrupted for 20 minutes because of lightning.

Kelly was scratchy in the opening half but finished with 27 possessions (14 contested) and six clearances, icing his performance with a goal from 40m off a step in the final term as the Eagles mounted a late charge.

Rotating between the centre square and half forward, his clean hands were regularly on display after the main break as he roved packs expertly in the slippery and windy conditions.

Tim Kelly collected 27 disposals in his first outing as an Eagle

He was part of an Eagles midfield that won the clearances 46-36 and will welcome back dual All-Australians Elliot Yeo and Andrew Gaff for their final Marsh Community Series match against Fremantle.

While the Eagles ticked boxes, Essendon surprised, with their run-and-gun style putting the Eagles on the back foot for large periods of the match.

Devon Smith (20 and six tackles) returned to the midfield for his first match since round eight last season and gave a large dose of hardness and leadership.

Andrew McGrath (24 and seven clearances), Dylan Shiel (27 and four) and Darcy Parish (29 and five) led the midfield, with Andrew Phillips holding his own in the ruck.  

Shiel particularly looks primed to build on his impressive first season with the Bombers, slashing through the midfield and winning the contested ball.

Small forward Irving Mosquito excited the crowd with a left-foot snap in the third quarter, with Will Snelling, Jayden Laverde and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti each kicking two goals. 

WEST COAST                 2.2.  5.6   8.8   13.9 (87)
ESSENDON                     5.3.  7.5   12.9   14.11 (95)

GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 6, Waterman 3, Ah Chee, Williams 
Essendon: Snelling 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Laverde 2, Parish, Langford, Smith, Merrett, Phillips, McKernan, Mosquito, Jones  

BEST
West Coast: Kennedy, Sheed, Shuey, Kelly, Naitanui, Waterman
Essendon: McGrath, Shiel, Langford, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Merrett, Snelling

INJURIES
West Coast: TBC
Essendon: Hurley (leg)

Reports: Nil

Official crowd: 4,302 at Mineral Resources Park