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[VIDEO] West Coast Eagles vs Carlton Blues highlights: 2015 NAB Challenge scores, blog

Expert
27th February, 2015
Venue: Bendigo Bank Stadium – Mandurah, WA
Bounce: 4.10 PM Local, 7.10 PM AEDT
TV: FoxFooty, LIVE
Betting: West Coast $1.09, Carlton $7.50

West Coast
1. Mitch Brown, 2. Mark LeCras, 3. Andrew Gaff, 4. Dom Sheed, 5. Brad Sheppard, 6. Elliott Yeo, 7. Chris Masten, 11. Matt Priddis, 12. Sharrod Wellingham, 13. Luke Shuey, 15. Jamie Cripps, 16. Eric Mackenzie, 17. Josh Kennedy, 18. Xavier Ellis, 20. Jeremy McGovern, 22. Callum Sinclair, 24. Matt Rosa, 25. Shannon Hurn, 26. Sam Butler, 28. Tom Lamb, 29. Scott Lycett, 30. Jackson Nelson, 31. Will Schofield, 32. Simon Tunbridge, 33. Josh Hill, 35. Patrick McGinnity, 39. Malcolm Karpany, 44. Jamie Bennell, 47. Kane Lucas

Carlton
2. Troy Menzel, 6. Kade Simpson, 7. Dylan Buckley, 9. Patrick Cripps, 10. Matthew Watson, 12. Blaine Boekhorst, 13. Chris Yarran, 14. Liam Jones, 15. Sam Docherty, 16. Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, 17. Sam Rowe, 18. Kristian Jaksch, 21. Ciaran Sheehan, 22. Jason Tutt, 25. Clem Smith, 27. Dennis Armfield, 28. Tom Bell, 29. Billy Gowers, 30. Blaine Johnson, 31. Matthew Dick, 32. Nicholas Graham, 34. Bradley Walsh, 35. Edward Curnow, 36. Cameron Wood, 37. Tom Fields, 38. Ciaran Byrne, 41. Levi Casboult, 42. Zach Tuohy, 43. Simon White
Expert
27th February, 2015
105
3479 Reads

MATCH RESULT:

An early period of dominance set up a 31-point win for the Eagles in the second match of the 2015 NAB Challenge.

They dominated the key stats, leading the disposals 354-236, mostly through uncontested possession as they controlled the ball. They had only 14 more contested possessions than the Blues, but 104 more uncontested possessions. The Eagles dominance was reflected in a comfortable Inside 50 count of 55-30.

The Blues showed some good signs at times but struggled in the western heat and were comfortably outmatched by a star-studded Eagles team when they themselves had sent mostly juniors. The fact they lost the tackle count 64-54 even when the Eagles dominated possession shows just how much they wilted as the game went on.

Still through some good defensive efforts and a little inaccuracy on the Eagles’ behalf the Blues were able to keep the margin respectable and some late super goals to Cameron Wood and Zach Tuohy helped to make the scoreboard a bit prettier.

For the Eagles Josh J Kennedy was dominant, making light of an undermanned Carlton backline to kick four goals, one of them a super, on a day when the big men were struggling. Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis was typically productive with eight clearances, seven tackles, and a goal in the last term.

Brad Sheppard saw lots of the ball across half back, Luke Shuey was dynamic in the midfield, and Scott Lycett had a good impact around the ground with 6 tackles. Jeremy McGovern played well in defence and Tom Lamb showed some excitement up forward.

The big story from the game for the Eagles though may be the injury to Eric Mackenzie. The Best and Fairest winner landed hard from a marking contest early in the second term and missed the rest of the match. He was able to jog off the ground, but was then later seen on crutches. Time will tell on this one.

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For the Blues there were few who stood out but the likes of Tom Bell and Patrick Cripps impressed through the midfield, Cam Wood had an impact and Chris Yarran was at his creative best. Levi Casboult was typically wayward in front of goal, but the Blues got some good moments out of draftee Blaine Boekhorst and saw some impressive stuff in defense from former Giant Kristian Jaksch.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Blues fare when they field a more experienced team, but in the meantime, their younger players are showing promise.

The Eagles on the other hand look like they could push for finals in 2015 with a bit of luck.

FINAL SCORE
WEST COAST 1.9.15 (78)
CARLTON 2.4.5 (47)

MATCH PREVIEW:

After a summer of waiting, footy is finally back and the 2015 NAB Challenge continues today with a Friday Night match-up between the West Coast Eagles and the Carlton Blues in Mandurah, Western Australia. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7.10pm AEDT (4.10pm local).

The Eagles had their first hit-out last week against the Indigenous All-Stars, but this is the first match of the year for Carlton, who are taking in a relatively inexperienced side.

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Captain Marc Murphy will miss the game due to hamstring tightness while Andrew Walker and Matthew Kreuzer have both been ruled out due to longer term injuries.

Experienced players Bryce Gibbs, Lachie Henderson, Chris Judd, Dale Thomas and Michael Jamison are being rested from the side also, as the Blues seek to test their young draftees and new trade acquisitions.

Also notable is that senior coach Mick Malthouse will not travel the team. Malthouse is staying in Melbourne to be with his wife who is undergoing surgery.

In Mick’s absence Carlton’s director of coaching Rob Wiley is stepping up to the plate, while key defender Sam Rowe is set to captain the side in place of Marc Murphy.

Draftees Blaine Boekhorst, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow and Clem Smith are all a chance to play for the Blues, as are former Bulldogs Liam Jones and Jason Tutt, former Giant Kristian Jaksch, and former Swan Matthew Dick.

The Eagles on the other hand are taking in a significantly more experienced squad, though that may change by the time final teams are announced.

While Scott Selwood, Nic Naitanui and Jack Darling will all miss, the Eagles side will boast Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis, new captain Shannon Hurn, reigning Best and Fairest winner Eric Mackenzie, and a host of other established players including Mark LeCras, Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey and Josh J Kennedy.

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Fresh draftees Tom Lamb and Jackson Nelson have both been named in the squad after playing against the All-Stars last week, and in an odd twist of fate former Blue Kane Lucas is likely to line up against the club that delisted him late last year.

One talking point will be the next wave of Carlton midfielders. Young ball-winners Patrick Cripps and Tom Bell are both in the squad after performing well in last week’s intra-club game, both are worth keeping an eye on. We may be getting an early glimpse of the future of Carlton’s midfield.

Another Blue to keep an eye on is Matthew Watson. After struggling to maintain a place in the Blues best 22 as a defender, the 195cm Watson was sent forward in the last round of 2014 and booted four goals. He followed this up with six goals in the Blues intra-club match last week. It’s early days yet, but Carlton may have found the answer to their key forward dilemma.

From the Eagles, Scott Lycett is one to keep an eye on. He has some big shoes to fill as the likely successor to six-time All Australian ruckman Dean Cox, but from what we saw of him last season he shows promise.

Former Lion Elliot Yeo, entering his second year at the club, is also one to watch on as he seeks to establish himself in the side after recovering from a broken hand.

Prediction:
The squad the Eagles have named is considerably more experienced than that of the Blues, and while this may change by the time the final teams are announced, they will likely still have the advantage on their home turf.

West Coast by 30 points.

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