The conclusion to round six is a very intriguing contest between the only unbeaten side left in the AFL, West Coast, and one of the most improved sides of 2012, North Melbourne. Join us for live scores and updates from 4.40pm AEST.
Last week was a very important win for the Eagles, getting past Richmond after some nervy moments near the end.
Any win on the road is like gold for West Coast in 2012. Most pundits have the Eagles winning all their home games, so to make the top four they need the odd win on the road. So far, they are three wins from three games.
This week, the Eagles are back at their fortress, Patersons Stadium. However, the focus of the week has been squarely on the forward line after the injury to forward Josh Kennedy.
Added to the other key injuries of Mark LeCras, Mark Nicoski and Andrew Embley, the Eagles have lost a fair chunk of their experience, especially up forward – the quartet combined in 2011 for 46 per cent of their total goals.
But, West Coast has been able to cover this very well with Jack Darling stepping up with twelve goals, Josh Hill averaging two goals a game and the side has a total of 19 goal kickers – spreading the load very well.
Their defence has been very stable and the midfield has been dominant, with thanks to their two prominent ruckman – Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox.
The next month will be the big test though for the Eagles. The Kangaroos will be no pushover, a resurgent Essendon at Etihad, St Kilda at home, then the Western Derby. Stay undefeated and you can almost lock them in for a top-four spot.
North Melbourne’s season has shown plenty of promise with their upset win over Geelong, close matches against Essendon (for a while at least) and a comfortable win against GWS.
The last fortnight has not been as scintillating as we’d expected – a poor loss against Sydney and an unconvincing win against the Suns.
Today is where we find out how good this squad is or where they need to be at.
The Kangas have used a lot of handball in 2012 and running plenty. That’s good news when you get to Patersons Stadium with the wide expanses of the venue giving them plenty of room to move. With wet weather expected, that game plan could be a big plus.
And while their record overall in Perth against the Eagles hasn’t been great, their last two matches there has shown that if they play like that, they will trouble the home team.
If the game plan works, great. If it doesn’t, they could be in deep trouble, because there doesn’t seem to be a decent back up plan.
The small crumbing forwards could be on show today – Lindsay Thomas will need to convert well, while Matt Campbell and Daniel Wells will need to take their chances.
If North Melbourne gets up today, you hope it says more about their progress than it will about West Coast’s stumble.
We’ll be bringing you live updates as they happen and we want to hear from you too. Jump on and have your say through what should be a great way to round up a ripping weekend of football – join us from 4.40pm AEST.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | WCE 17.18 120 | NM 15.5 95 So the West Coast Eagles make it six from six and are clear on top of the AFL Ladder. Keeping in mind of their outs they've had throughout the season, it's been a decent performance. Their next month is crucial though - on the road against Essendon next week, as well as a Western Derby and an away game against Collingwood. For North Melbourne, their effort today was outstanding despite not getting the win. Their loss keeps them out of the top eight, but their next three are very winnable, so look for them to continue their claims as top eight contenders. Thanks for joining me this afternoon. More AFL to come next week here at theroar.com.au
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | WCE 17.18 120 | NM 15.5 95 Goalscorers WCE - Josh Hill 4, Shannon Hurn 2, Luke Shuey 2, Scott Selwood 1, Matt Rosa 1, Dean Cox 1, Chris Masten 1, Ashton Hams 1, Quinten Lynch 1, Scott Lycett 1, Jack Darling 1, Brad Sheppard (sub) 1 NM - Ben Cunnington 3, Brent Harvey 2, Jamie Macmillan 2, Jack Ziebell 1, Lindsay Thomas 1, Daniel Wells 1, Sam Wright 1, Cameron Pedersen 1, Drew Petrie 1, Kieran Harper 1, Aaron Edwards 1 Player Stats Scott Selwood (WCE) 15 kicks, 20 handballs, 16 contested possessions, 8 marks, 9 clearances, 7 inside 50's, 12 score involvements, 1 goal Matt Priddis (WCE) 14 kicks, 15 handballs, 15 contested possessions, 9 clearances Andrew Swallow (NM) 14 kicks, 15 handballs, 11 contested possessions, 9 tackles, 8 clearances Beau Waters (WCE) 14 kicks, 12 handballs, 11 contested possessions, 5 rebound 50's Team Stats Disposals: NM 362-352; Contested Possesions: WCE 150-147; Disposal Efficiency: NM 71%-69%; Tackles: NM 62-46; Clearances: WCE 49-36; Free Kicks: WCE 29-15; Inside 50's: WCE 60-43;
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | WCE 17.18 120 | NM 15.5 95 A gutsy win by West Coast this afternoon at home to keep their unbeaten run going. Scott Selwood had a blinder with 35 possessions, Beau Waters was classy down back, as too was Shannon Hurn. But great fight from North Melbourne - they never gave up for a second. Andrew Swallow, Liam Anthony and Leigh Adams fought hard all day. But, despite the long-term injury toll at West Coast, and the loss of Adam Selwood during Q3, West Coast claim another win!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:10 left | WCE 17.18 120 | NM 15.5 95 Ball in half foward for WCE Matt Priddis handballs to Beau Waters... kicks inside 50 - marked by Luke Shuey. A bit of icing on top for the Eagles? Shuey kicks on goal and kicks it!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:46 left | WCE 16.18 114 | NM 15.5 95 The "Eagles" chant goes around Patersons Stadium. They think North might still be a slight chance... they're a tad nervy still.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:46 left | WCE 16.18 114 | NM 15.5 95 Drew Petrie takes a good contested mark on the paint of 50m. Kicks inside 50 - free kick to Aaron Edwards. Kicks the goal. Back within 19 points.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:40 left | WCE 16.18 114 | NM 14.5 89 Nice kick inside 50 from Sam Wright to find Cam Pedersen. He plays on straight away, runs into an open goal. North Melbourne are still playing well... but they've run out of legs (to be honest, both sides are out on their feet!)
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:14 left | WCE 16.18 114 | NM 13.5 83 Run along the wing from Chris Masten. Kicks inside 50... the ball wasn't even near Dean Cox and he wins a simple free kick - Michael Firrito with a hold on him. Kicks the goal. Party time now at Patersons
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:59 left | WCE 15.18 108 | NM 13.5 83 North Melbourne with a couple of quick clearances. Another chance on goal from Cameron Pedersen... but he's pushed that right.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:02 left | WCE 15.18 108 | NM 13.4 82 Jack Ziebell wins a free kick at half forward. Kicks from 55m out - ripping kick! Nice goal.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:00 left | WCE 15.18 108 | NM 12.4 76 Things starting to go West Coast's way. The Eagles with a free kick through Dean Cox on half back. About 5 or 6 possessions, untouched to Brad Sheppard the sub. Kicks from 50m out and drills the winner! The Eagles will stay undefeated.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:16 left | WCE 14.18 102 | NM 12.4 76 Ashton Hams through the middle spots up Jack Darling... kicks to Josh HILL!! Takes the mark near the goal square. Goes back and kicks his fourth... that could be enough!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:00 left | WCE 13.18 96 | NM 12.4 76 Brilliant work from Beau Waters on the defensive goal line. Outworked Lindsay Thomas to stop a goal.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:15 left | WCE 13.18 96 | NM 12.4 76 Josh Hill kicks across the face of goal... doesn't score, but goes out of bounds for a ball-in. One more goal could be the killer blow. From the ball-in, Quinten Lynch snaps - behind.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:22 left | WCE 13.17 95 | NM 12.4 76 Sam Wright with a kick inside 50... wanted Liam Anthony but juggled the mark... not paid. Leigh Adams collects, snaps but a behind.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:45 left | WCE 13.17 95 | NM 12.3 75 All the scoring from North Melbourne today has come from turnovers. For West Coast, 5.10 from from stoppages, the rest from turnovers.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:25 left | WCE 13.17 95 | NM 12.3 75 Adam Selwood's injury is not great - fractured bone in his hand... which has broken the skin. *shudder* Quinten Lynch with a mark at the top of the 50m arc. A chance at his second goal of the day - pushed it wide.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:13 left | WCE 13.16 94 | NM 12.3 75 Eric Mackenzie has got up hobbling. Aaron Edwards with the free kick.... KICKS BACKWARDS AND MISSES THE TARGET! Oh dear. From the stoppage, free kick to Ashton Hams in the pocket. Snaps a goal. That's a coach-killer from Aaron Edwards
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:19 left | WCE 12.16 88 | NM 12.3 75 Chris Masten with a nice kick inside 50 to Josh Hill. He will be kicking from the boundary at about 45m - he misses to the near left side
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 17:08 left | WCE 12.15 87 | NM 12.3 75 Matt Priddis inside 50.... doesn't find a target, but goes out of bounds along the behind post. Ball in - cleared by North Melbourne, now Leigh Adams runs free... Liam Anthony has a long kick from 55m out... bounces the wrong side, just a behind.