West Coast captain Luke Shuey lasted simply over a half in his return from his newest smooth tissue difficulty, with an ankle harm overshadowing a spirited 40-point loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday.
Back after a fortnight on the sidelines with a hamstring harm, Shuey bravely performed via a sore left ankle he twisted after being tackled by Power star Ollie Wines early within the first time period.
Shuey, 32, is now more likely to be added to an harm checklist that already options about 15 gamers – most of them walk-up starters to their finest 22 – which for the one-win Eagles spells catastrophe.
The 16.13 (109) to 10.9 (69) loss on the Adelaide Oval was respectable given coach Adam Simpson had about 26 gamers to choose from this week due to one other harm disaster.
Unfortunately, it appears there shall be no respite for the already luckless Eagles, who will now must dig deeper into their checklist simply to area a aspect.
The Eagles performed with depth and to their detriment at occasions, caught to the brand new recreation model of quicker ball motion, however they may not match the category of the Power.
Port Adelaide seemed early on like they weren’t going to benefit from a straightforward kill, succumbing to the Eagle strain and their easy talent errors.
For a second-straight week, the Eagles had a giant lapse within the second time period and the Power fortunately took benefit, kicking six objectives to at least one to interrupt the sport open by half-time.
Classy speedster Connor Rozeee was close to on unstoppable, tearing the Eagles aside throughout the bottom with 29 disposals and two objectives to earn the Peter Badcoe VC Medal because the best-on-ground.
Forward Jeremy Finlayson bagged 5 objectives for a second consecutive time towards West Coast in a ahead line that was with out Charlie Dixon in addition to Todd Marshall earlier than half-time after he was subbed out with a concussion.
The Eagles’ senior gamers had been standing tall, with Shuey dynamic earlier than his day ended, whereas Tim Kelly (34 disposals and eight clearances) continued his wonderful season.
Ruckman Bailey Williams shook off a hamstring concern to have one of many higher video games of his profession with 21 disposals, 13 clearances and 37 hit-outs, whereas teenager Jai Culley turned the unlikely spearhead for the Eagles with 4 objectives.
Vice-captain Tom Barrass was glorious in defence with a number of intercept marks, however there have been too many passengers and when the Power bought on the break there have been too many bystanders sporting blue and gold.
The Power had been ruthless on the turnover, with Wet Coast’s abilities not matching their intention and it uncovered them defensively, with the house aspect wasteful in entrance of objectives.
Despite coming off a six-day break and consecutive interstate journeys, the Eagles saved preventing till the top within the heat circumstances.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 3.2, 9.6, 13.9, 16.13 (109)
WEST COAST 2.3, 3.6, 7.8, 10.9 (69)
Goals – PORT ADELAIDE: J Finlayson 5 R Burton 2 J Rioli 2 C Rozee 2 D Byrne-Jones 2 W Drew O Lord S Powell-Pepper. WEST COAST: J Culley 4 O Allen 2 J Darling 2 J Petruccelle J Waterman.
Best – PORT ADELAIDE: C Rozee J Finlayson W Drew O Wines Z Butters D Byrne-Jones. WEST COAST: B Williams T Kelly J Culley T Barrass A Gaff J Waterman.
Injuries – PORT ADELAIDE: T Marshall (concussion). WEST COAST: L Shuey (ankle).
Umpires: J Dalgliesh A Stephens E Tee M Young. Crowd: 31,638 at Adelaide Oval.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
