West Coast have rocked the competitors with a win that not solely lifted themselves off the ladder and dented the Western Bulldogs’ finals hopes, however might form the following future of their membership for years to return.
The Eagles produced their finest four-quarter efficiency for the season to seize simply their fifth win in 48 video games however might have gifted North Melbourne the No.1 decide with their seven-point victory over the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Just eight days after an embarrassing 101-point western derby loss to Fremantle, the Eagles performed with an depth their followers have been determined for all season to win 14.8 (92) to 12.13 (85).
After a blistering first half, the Eagles’ resolve was examined by a monstrous third time period by Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, who led the house aspect to a five-goal to 2 quarter.
West Coast responded in miraculous fashion with 4 targets in 14 minutes to begin the fourth time period and provides their under-fire coach Adam Simpson lots to smile about.
Midfielder Tim Kelly had arguably his most influential recreation in an Eagles’ guernsey with 32 disposals, 12 rating involvements and eight clearances, whereas Jamie Cripps kicked three last quarter aim to complete with an equal career-high 5.
Oscar Allen (three targets) was a relentless risk up ahead, whereas stand-in-skipper Jeremy McGovern confirmed why the membership re-signed him for an additional two seasons with a trademark defensive exhibiting.
Kelly had a blistering begin, racking up six touches inside the primary eight minutes as West Coast silenced the group with the opening three targets.
A nightmare state of affairs for the AFL led to pleasure for the Bulldogs, who got a aim after a controversial rating assessment however it didn’t dishearten the Eagles.
Led by Kelly, who had 13 touches within the first time period, West Coast hunted their extremely fancied opponents and overwhelmed their defence by attacking the hall.
It led to their finest first quarter for the season, the Eagles held an unlikely 26-point lead when Elliot Yeo snapped their fifth aim.
McGovern injured himself operating again with the flight late and was sidelined for about quarter-hour, which the Bulldogs took full benefit of by kicking three unanswered targets both aspect of the primary break.
To their credit score the Eagles weren’t spooked and so they weathered the storm for the remainder of the primary half to take care of an 11-point lead on the important break.
When Cripps kicked the opener of the second half an upset was on the playing cards.
But as Simpson warned at half-time, the Bulldogs’ finest had been able to placing on their superhero capes.
Captain Bontempelli started to interrupt the tag of Liam Duggan to dominate with 12 disposals, seven clearances and a aim alone for the third time period on his approach to 32 and 12 disposals.
West Coast’s ball motion which had been courageous earlier than half-time started to look reckless as they missed easy handballs and swiftly they acquired spooked into taking the safer choices.
It appeared just like the Bulldogs had been going to over-run the Eagles simply by the ultimate break, however once more their important males in Kelly and Elliot Yeo lifted on the clearances.
Even when Yeo was sidelined with a hip harm they didn’t let up, with Cripps dominant up ahead because the Eagles overcame one among their largest assessments of 2023.
WEST COAST 5.3, 7.6, 9.7, 14.8 (92)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.2, 5.7, 10.10, 12.13 (85)
Goals – WEST COAST: J Cripps 5 O Allen 3 J Darling 2 J Hunt R Maric Z Trew E Yeo WESTERN BULLDOGS: R Lobb 3 O Baker M Bontempelli T English A Naughton A Scott A Treloar J Ugle-Hagan C Weightman R West
Best – WEST COAST: T Kelly J Cripps J McGovern O Allen E Yeo L Duggan. WESTERN BULLDOGS: M Bontempelli A Treloar B Dale C Daniel L Jones E Richards.
Injuries – WEST COAST: E Yeo (thigh) O Allen (ankle).WESTERN BULLDOGS: J Macrae (TBC).
Umpires: R Chamberlain E Tee H Birch C Jones. Crowd: TBC at Marvel Stadium.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
