With the primary Eagles recreation of the brand new season simply days away, we glance again at a few of West Coast’s most memorable spherical one encounters, together with going again to the start, a basic derby, Chris Judd, Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr’s heyday in addition to the day Dean Cox monstered the Kangaroos.
1. Richmond 1987: Game one, win one
More than 20,000 folks crowded into Subiaco to observe their new group run onto the sphere for his or her inaugural recreation towards the Tigers. However, few might have foreseen what occurred – some didn’t even see the opening bounce within the crush to get into the bottom – and what it signalled for the way forward for soccer in Australia. The Eagles outfit, led by champion Ross Glendenning and that includes many future stars of the membership, have been into the sport shortly. But with Richmond main by 33 factors on the ultimate change, West Coast regarded gone. Inaugural Eagles coach Ron Alexander performed his final card within the ultimate time period, transferring Glendenning into the ahead 50. It proved a masterstroke as the house facet discovered their stride with three fast majors to open the final quarter earlier than operating out victors 133 to 119.
2. Fremantle 1999: Not but ‘little brother’
The ultimate season of the West Coast’s dual-premiership 90s gave the impression to be beginning with one other monster belting of little brothers Fremantle. They piled on eight targets to 2 within the first time period and maintained the lead into half time. But new Dockers coach, Damian Drum, wasn’t content material together with his facet remaining the Eagles’ plaything. His expenses mounted a mammoth comeback, locking down the Eagles forwards, who managed so as to add simply one other three targets for the half, all kicked within the third time period. But because the Dockers drew inside a objective in entrance of 32,680 followers at Subiaco, West Coast’s champion defenders like Guy McKenna, Ashley McIntosh and David Wirrapanda stood agency, holding Fremantle at bay to present his facet victory by 4 factors. Dean Kemp had 25 disposals, and Scott Cummings slotted 4 majors on debut.
3. Western Bulldogs 2004: Cousins and Judd, who else?
A classic one, two Ben Cousins and Chris Judd punch noticed West Coast pinch a basic towards the Bulldogs to open their 2004 marketing campaign. Travelling to then Telstra Dome, the Eagles have been compelled to go toe-to-toe in a quick, high-scoring affair with a decided Dogs unit intent on making up for a woeful 2003 season. 12 targets have been kicked within the first quarter, and each side had 11 every on the primary break because the guests held a slender two-point lead, having trailed by 9 at quarter time. The sides went goal-for-goal for a lot of the third because the Bulldogs shared the load, taking a seven-point lead into the ultimate stanza. But cometh the second cometh the Eagles stars. Cousins collected 33 touches, whereas Judd had a 23 to go together with 4 large targets. Phil Matera added 5 majors as West Coast landed the ultimate blow to file an entertaining victory 22.12 (144) to twenty.17 (137).
4. Sydney 2007: Greatest rivalry ever?
West Coast and Sydney couldn’t assist however play classics between 2005 and 2008, and contemporary off claiming a premiership towards one another, they renewed hostilities to open 2007. Like within the 2006 flag, West Coast had a dominant first half however have been slowly pegged again at Stadium Australia. It changed into a grind as Brett Kirk (29 disposals) and Tadhg Kennelly (26 disposals) labored laborious for the Swans. On the opposite facet, Daniel Kerr (28 disposals) led Chris Judd (27 disposals) and unlikely star Rowan Jones (23 touches). West Coast simply gave the impression to be out of the woods earlier than Sydney kicked three targets in 5 minutes to scale back the margin to only a single level. It was one other heart-stopping end because the Eagles clung on 74 to 73.
5. North Melbourne 2011: The new guard and herculean Dean
Fresh off the damage of their first wood spoon in 2010, with simply 4 wins, West Coast have been intent on making a press release in entrance of their residence followers at Subiaco Oval. It began effectively with simply poor kicking, giving the visiting Kangaroos a lead on the first break. Both sides discovered it powerful within the contest as midfielders wracked up touches for enjoyable, each Matt Priddis and Andrew Embley having 28 whereas solely three Eagles had single digits. The lead swapped at each change earlier than Luke Shuey gave the Eagles a double-digit benefit with 5 minutes remaining. North Melbourne left it late however had the margin again at 4 factors with 10 seconds left. However, Dean Cox had been a monster all day with 29 disposals, two targets, 29 hitouts and three clearances, and he didn’t let the Roos get the ball out because the siren sounded.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
