Despite a less than impressive game from West Coast, they have scraped home with a six-point win over the Demons. Melbourne led at every change and also led in inside 50s, but some poor goal-kicking let them down.
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The first quarter was a wet and sluggish affair with rain hanging over Domain stadium, the wet and slippery conditions favoured the Demons early, with them taking the early lead but West Coast hit back to only be down one point at the end of the quarter.
The second was very similar with Melbourne taking the early ascendancy before again West Coast hit back through two quick goals from Josh P Kennedy. However Melbourne again responded and continued to lead going into half-time.
The third was all Melbourne with them controlling the majority of the ball and the inside 50 count however they could not convert the goals and scored three goals and six behinds for the quarter, West Coast were looking like taking a one-point lead into the third quarter break but a behind to Melbourne and a terrible kick from Sharrod Wellingham turned a one-point lead into a six-point deficit.
West Coast started the fourth with an early goal and scored another one not long after for the only two goals of the quarter.
Melbourne again controlled the majority of the play but were unable to break through the West Coast defence for scoring chances.
With West Coast in front by just 4 points in the dying minutes of the game, Melbourne tried to push for the win but a rushed behind to the Eagles and a deliberate out of bounds call going the way of the Eagles all but sealed the deal for West Coast.
Melbourne despite the loss can leave Western Australia with their heads held high for pushing the Eagles all the way and if they had have kicked straight they would have walked away with the win.
West Coast on the other hand will have a lot of questions being asked of them after being comprehensively beaten everywhere but the scoreline.
With a push towards the finals in full swing for most of the top eight, West Coast will want to find some sort of gear to stop them from being an afterthought in the finals.
Final scores
West Coast 10.6.66
Melbourne 8.12.60
The Roar’s AFL MVP votes
Matt Priddis 3
Nathan Jones 2
Max Gawn 1
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