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West Coast a lock for top four

22nd June, 2015
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Expert
22nd June, 2015
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West Coast’s entrenchment in the top four was the story of the weekend, although it seems to have received very little play in the Victorian heartland.

Perhaps it was the introduction of first Thursday night game of the year, drawing away some of that ‘Friday night football’ attention. Carlton discovering a pulse deserved headlines, as does the continued woes of Port. Melbourne’s victory over Geelong drew worthy praise and acclaim.

Many of us have reserved our judgement about the Eagles this season, due to a draw that had turned out to be more friendly than anticipated. Each year, some teams get the rub of the green, others the short straw.

West Coast have beaten up a lot of weaker opposition this season, particularly at Subiaco. Losses had come against Fremantle, plus the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne away from home.

Based on the losses, it seemed that the Eagles were a level below the genuine top-four sides like the Dockers, and were only middle-of-the-road themselves when travelling against a middle-tier team.

This might still be the case, but the win against an in-form Richmond on Friday night had substance to it. While this might not be a side that can go all the way this season, the building blocks for the near future are certainly there.

The margin was only 20 points over the Tigers, but this flattered the home side. This was mainly due to Richmond’s new-found defensive resilience, which can absorb more pressure than it used to. A tick in the Tiges corner, to be sure, but they looked a class below throughout the night.

The Eagles were clinical across the ground, particularly impressive in their defensive coverage and the way they moved in unison. Throughout the night, Richmond would switch the play as they love to do, and even create a loose man.

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Several times, it looked like the Tigers were away and West Coast were out of position to, but by the time the ball had travelled to the Richmond forward line, the Eagles were perfectly positioned to intercept or defend.

How often do we bemoan the team that continues to kick the ball to the loose man in defence? Oftentimes it’s because the defending team has forced this occurrence. The man with the ball has no option, channelled into only one decision – kick it long and hope for a contest from his forwards.

West Coast are perfecting this art.

Fremantle are seen as the benchmark in defensive movement, while Hawthorn are the masters of all 18 players moving as one when it’s time to attack.

Adam Simpson and his coaching team would have one eye on the defensive prowess of the Dockers, as all clubs should, given they are the best in the league at what they do. Doubtless, being a crosstown rival also adds to this.

Simpson also spent four years as an assistant coach at the Hawks under Clarkson. It shows. He has taken those learnings with him.

West Coast’s attack is second only to Hawthorn’s in terms of hitting the scoreboard. They share similarities in that their forward-line players are multi-faceted and flexible.

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Josh Kennedy is equally comfortable in a contested situation as on the lead, and is no slouch at ground level. Mark LeCras can play leading forward, crumber or creative midfielder. Josh Hill can both mark off a vertical leap and snap cannily. Jamie Cripps has a nose for goal and applies the pressure.

Nic Naitanui has kicked more goals than any ruckman. Jack Darling has only played two matches, but can be the workhorse up the ground, or lead from the square, swapping those roles with Kennedy.

This flexibility runs through the entire team.

Matt Priddis is the only genuine inside player, with Andrew Gaff the most outside. All others that go through there have a beautiful balance of hardness and run. Even Priddis gets plenty of uncontested possession, and Gaff the hard ball.

Elliot Yeo is symbolic of West Coast’s versatility across the lines. Whether it be standing a key tall in defensive 50, providing rebound from half-back, hard-nut midfielder, or classy finisher through half-forward, Yeo has done them all with aplomb.

I didn’t rate the Eagles highly before the season, and wanted to see more before being convinced as we’ve progressed to the halfway point of the year. They’ve turned me around. Sometimes you need to see a team live at the ground to truly appreciate their style.

Fremantle, Sydney and Hawthorn are three teams that almost everyone has finishing in the top four. Lock in West Coast for the remaining position.

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Can the Eagles be there on grand final day? It’s not out of the question.

They’ll probably need a top-two finish, or to overcome a Freo hoodoo that is developing. They play the Hawks and Swans at Subiaco in the second half of the year, so get to measure themselves against the fellow contenders on their own turf.

But even if they don’t progress beyond a preliminary final, or perhaps not even get that far, it won’t be long before the Eagles are soaring again.

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