In his highly-anticipated return to Perth, Junior Rioli gave West Coast followers one thing to recollect him by with a few first-half objectives towards his previous membership.
But the Eagles confirmed they’ve come a great distance from final yr’s horror two-win season and may comfortably stand up the ladder if their listing stays this wholesome.
They prevailed by eight factors at Mineral Resources Park in Friday’s unofficial pre-season conflict towards Port Adelaide, however extra importantly received via unscathed.
Boos rang out among the many Eagles’ devoted as Rioli, who efficiently requested a commerce to Port Adelaide in the course of the low season which left West Coast “bitterly disappointed”, strolled in for the simplest of objectives early within the second quarter.
The trimmed-down Eagles premiership goalsneak, who embraced former forward-line teammate Liam Ryan and skipper Luke Shuey amongst others pre-match, was quiet within the opening time period earlier than coming to life with two majors earlier than half-time.
Rioli confirmed he nonetheless had loads of respect at his former membership post-game, sharing in heat embraces with coach Adam Simpson and various West Coast gamers.
A yr after his – and his workforce’s – season got here crashing down with a severe calf damage within the corresponding apply match towards Fremantle on the identical venue, midfield bull Elliot Yeo confirmed that he’s primed to return to his good finest.
The two-time membership champion began within the guts with stints throughout half-back the place he caught former teammate Rioli holding the ball with a crunching sort out and produced an necessary defensive smother near objectives.
He additionally gained loads of clearances throughout his bursts within the engine room.
With all-time main goal-kicker Josh Kennedy retired and Jack Darling sidelined with an ankle damage, younger gun Oscar Allen received a style of what he future might appear to be by main the forward-line.
After not taking part in in any respect final yr due to an ankle concern, Allen confirmed lots and was an actual presence in assault throughout an entertaining battle with intercept-marking machine Aliir Aliir.
If not for a little bit of rust together with his goal-kicking, the 23-year-old would’ve ended up with a bag as an alternative of two.2 within the first three quarters.
He grew in confidence with two third-quarter objectives and appears set for a giant yr.
Defender Tom Cole (ankle), prized 2021 draftee Campbell Chesser (foot) have been a few different welcome sightings after not taking part in in any respect final yr, whereas premiership hero Dom Sheed (ankle) additionally made a promising return from his one-game 2022 marketing campaign.
Chesser, who went down in the identical recreation as Yeo and Sheed final yr, performed three-and-a-bit quarters, mixing his time between the wing and inside midfield, and received via unscathed earlier than working laps with defender Liam Duggan on the far oval.
High-flying ahead Liam Ryan had two first-quarter aim assists and offered his traditional X-factor earlier than getting on the scoreboard himself within the second.
Jayden Hunt performed his first recreation since becoming a member of as a free agent from Melbourne within the low season and impressed in a cut up half-back/wing function.
Hunt offered the line-breaking velocity West Coast have been missing in recent times, used it nicely by foot and seems a lock for spherical one.
He kicked a superb aim on the run halfway via the ultimate time period to indicate his class in entrance of the sticks.
Callum Jamieson and Bailey Williams each received the possibility to spearhead the Eagles’ ruck division within the absence of famous person Nic Naitanui, who was managed due to Achilles soreness.
Williams received first crack towards Port’s veteran ruck Scott Lycett, a 2018 Eagles flag winner, however Jamieson most likely had extra of an affect than his teammate as he places his hand as much as accomplice Naitanui within the season correct.
Captain Luke Shuey was managed however is anticipated to return towards Adelaide in subsequent Friday’s apply match at Lathlain after getting via a robust 90-minute session pre-game, whereas Darling stays contact and go to face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on March 18.
Top draft choose Reuben Ginbey didn’t play due to a minor toe concern, however his fellow first-round choose from WA Elijah Hewett received a style of the engine-room late after sitting out the primary three quarters.
Big-bodied mid Hewett kicked a ravishing aim out of congestion within the dying minutes, snapping it on his proper foot at full velocity, amongst just a few good moments from the Swan Districts product.
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Defender Harry Edwards, ahead Jake Waterman, midfielder Xavier O’Neill and livewire Jack Petruccelle, who made his return from an ankle damage and kicked an aesthetic aim late, additionally received a run after half-time.
Ex-Port skipper Travis Boak got here off second finest after clashing with defender Jeremy McGovern throughout half-back early within the second quarter, requiring the help of two trainers to return off trying dazed and never returning as he was assessed.
For Port Adelaide, former No.1 choose Jason Horne-Francis was excellent within the midfield and one in all his new workforce’s finest after inflicting controversy by leaving North Melbourne after one yr.
SCOREBOARD
WEST COAST 2.1, 6.3, 9.3, 13.6 (84)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.5, 6.8, 8.9, 11.10 (76)
GOALS – West Coast: O Allen 2 T Kelly 2 A Gaff J Culley L Ryan G Clark C West J Hunt J Petruccelle E Hewett J Waterman. Port Adelaide: O Fantasia 2 J Rioli 2 S Powell-Pepper 2 J McEntee 2 C Rozee T Marshall D Visentini.
BEST – West Coast: L Ryan E Yeo O Allen J Hunt T Kelly J McGovern D Sheed. Port Adelaide: J Horne-Francis S Powell-Pepper S Lycett C Rozee.
INJURIES – West Coast: Nil. Port Adelaide: T Boak (again).
UMPIRES – J Power, L Houssen, J Dalgleish, E Tee
CROWD: About 2000 at Mineral Resources Park
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
