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Highlights: Eagles make hay while the Suns don't shine

West Coast take on the Saints in Round 2. (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
Roar Guru
29th May, 2016
0

A rabid West Coast Eagles side has done a demolition job on the hapless Gold Coast Suns, flying to a 77-point victory.

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The Eagles’ forwards enjoyed a day out, with Josh Kennedy netting five goals in the victory. Mark LeCras and Jack Darling also contributed three goals each.

The Gold Coast defence was under siege from the get-go, with a real lack of resistance the story of the day.

Too often the Suns were caught out on turnovers, and totally overrun and outmanned once the ball returned to their backline.

They also struggled to convert when it mattered, finishing the day with 7.13 as opposed to the accurate Eagles’ 20.12.

Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett were dominant in the ruck, winning the hitouts 60-26 and also impacting the game at ground level.

Also great was the steadfast West Coast defence, lead in wonderful fashion by Brad Sheppard, Eric Mackenzie and Will Schofield.

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Returning captain Gary Ablett and young star-in-the-making Jack Martin tried hard all day for the Suns, but it wasn’t enough to influence the result.

Fullback Steven May, returning from suspension, had the tough task of shutting down Josh J Kennedy and while Kennedy kicked a bag, May won his fair share of the contests.

In the end it was the Suns’ terrible disposal efficiency in key moments that led to their downfall, as they continually missed targets and left the door wide open for the Eagles to score.

Injured stars such as Jaeger O’Meara, Rory Thompson and Adam Saad cannot come back quick enough.

It won’t get any easier for the Gold Coast either as they come up against the red-hot Sydney Swans next week. The Eagles on the other hand will look to back up strongly against fellow top eight rival the Western Bulldogs.

Final score
Gold Coast 20.12.132
West Coast 7.13.55

The Roar’s AFL MVP votes
3 – Josh Kennedy
2 – Scott Lycett
1 – Nic Naitanui

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