Melbourne will be out to put another horror week behind them as they face the West Coast Eagles at the MCG. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 2.10pm AEST.
No team has been talked about this week more than the Melbourne Football Club – and unfortunately not for the right reasons.
An unwatchable 148-point loss to Essendon on Saturday night, CEO Cameron Schwab being pushed from his job, the president Don McLardy under immense pressure for his job, while the coaches and players had to face the wrath of the fans.
It’s a dire situation for any club to be in, more dire for the history of late behind this particular club.
How they fight back from what’s happened of late can only really happen on the field.
They need to give their fans some hope. They need to give their fans some belief. They need to show their fans that they are willing to playing and uphold the club’s proud history.
It’s hard to know where they start. You can’t easily say to bench a set number of players, because there’s not much else cattle behind them.
It needs some commitment on the field from the 22 that go out there.
This week, Melbourne faces a depleted West Coast Eagles line up that has had a poor start to the season.
No wins from a supposed premiership contender has fans worried, especially with the injury concerns that have beset the club.
The Eagles played well in patches against Hawthorn, but were never seriously challenging the Hawks and were blown away in the final quarter – something that’s rare against an Eagles team on the wide expanses of Patersons Stadium.
The midfield needs a fair old lift across all four quarters. There were bit part performances from Luke Shuey, Chris Masten and Matt Priddis, but they never really combined all at once.
Another injury hurts – Brad Sheppard out for three weeks with a shoulder injury.
However, this is the perfect time for the Eagles to get the finger out and get cracking.
Today should be a comfortable win for West Coast and will need to push the accelerator to get the percentage boosted.
But the main focus this afternoon will be on Melbourne. Will we see them lift up, or will we see another week of heated media attention? Coverage is from 2.10pm AEST.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Would love to know that crowd breakdown. Hard to excuse 18k for a Saturday arvo game. I know, form, history and interstate opponent but yeesh. Majority eagles on the tram back as well.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
You have to give Melbourne credit for the first two quarters. Played very hard at the ball, rocked the Eagles on their heels, even though the WA boys won every quarter in the end.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE – West Coast Eagles 27.15 (177) def. Melbourne 13.5 (83) Important to remember, West Coast were really under the gun today after a poor start to a real premiership contender's season. So, that third quarter had to happen for them. Next week they have Carlton at home, so they'll be primed for what will be a big ol' contest. Melbourne has a date with GWS - who knows what could happen there! Hopefully, it will be a full four quarter match up. Thanks for your company today. I'll be with you tomorrow afternoon for the blockbuster between Collingwood and Hawthorn. Right now, I'm off for a bit of Black Caviar!!! - http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/04/13/2013-tj-smith-stakes-black-caviar-horse-racing-preview-tips-blog/
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE – West Coast Eagles 27.15 (177) def. Melbourne 13.5 (83) QUARTER BY QUARTER MELB 4.1 9.2 10.3 13.5 (83) WCE 5.3 10.6 21.9 27.15 (171) GOALKICKERS MELB (8) – Mitch Clark 3, Colin Sylvia 2, Jack Trengove 2, Shannon Byrnes 1, Aaron Davey 1, Jeremy Howe 1, Luke Tapscott 1, Michael Evans 1, James Sellar 1 WCE (12) – Josh Kennedy 5, Jack Darling 5, Ashton Hams 3, Mark LeCras 3, Dean Cox 3, Callum Sinclair 2, Andrew Embley 1, Shannon Hurn 1, Chris Masten 1, Josh Hill 1, Andrew Gaff 1, Jamie Cripps 1 TEAM STATS Disposals: WCE 391-323 | Contested Possessions: WCE 161-134 | Disposal Efficiency: WCE 74%-68% | Kicking Efficiency: WCE 66%-61% | Marks: WCE 83-72 | Tackles: WCE 78-56 | Clearances: WCE 46-32 | Inside 50’s: WCE 62-42 PLAYER STATS Chris Masten (WCE) 39 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 1 goal Matt Priddis (WCE) 33 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 10 clearances, 7 tackles Nathan Jones (MELB) 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 4 marks, 9 clearances Luke Shuey (WCE) 26 disposals, 3 clearances, 8 tackles, 6 inside 50’s, 2 goal assists Scott Selwood (WCE) 26 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 9 marks, 12 tackles, 7 inside 50’s
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Okay, take away the third quarter... it was much better than a lot were expecting.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE – West Coast Eagles 27.15 (177) def. Melbourne 13.5 (83) The third quarter was where Melbourne got absolutely annihilated! 11 goals to 1 and we knew the result there and then. At least Melbourne did keep it up a little in that final quarter. If you're a Melbourne supporter, I'm intrigued to know your reaction to the game today.
dexx
Guest
Another horrible loss for Melbourne. As expected. The Eagles highest ever score at the MCG and equal 7th highest score ever.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE – West Coast Eagles 27.15 (177) def. Melbourne 13.5 (83) There's the siren. The Eagles run away in the second half to win by 94 points against a tired Melbourne. But at least, we can say Melbourne did give it a fair old dip in the first half and for periods of that final quarter.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:44 left – MELB 13.5 (83) | WCE 27.15 (177) One more chance before the siren for the Eagles. Darling, eludes a player - GOALS! The Eagles with their equal biggest ever second half in history - 17.9 (111)
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:18 left – MELB 13.5 (83) | WCE 26.15 (171) James Sellar takes a grab at the point of 50m. Will shoot for their 3rd goal of the quarter - kicks.... a GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:40 left – MELB 12.5 (77) | WCE 26.15 (171) Rushed behind for the Eagles. They're one goal away from their highest ever second half in history.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:20 left – MELB 12.5 (77) | WCE 26.14 (170) A few more fumbles from the Demons in defence, as they turn it over again. Sinclair short to Dean Cox. Told to play on as it didn't go 15m. Handballs to Jamie Cripps - GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:06 left – MELB 12.5 (77) | WCE 25.13 (163) Free kick in the boundary throw in inside 50 for the Eagles - Dean Cox held out in the contest. Will kick from 45m out - POSTER! Magnetised!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:55 left – MELB 12.5 (77) | WCE 25.12 (162) Jack Darling wraps up Jimmy Toumpas in the forward pocket - couldn't escape! Holding the ball! Darling will have a tough shot on the boundary in the left pocket. Looking at his 5th of the day, in game 50. Darling kicks... a POSTER!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:02 left – MELB 12.5 (77) | WCE 25.11 (161) Josh Hill has space at centre wing. Runs a little, then kicks beautifully to Josh Kennedy about 45m out from goal. Right near the boundary, so not an easy one. Stutter... skip... kick... MARKED on the line by Dean Cox! Around the corner, on the boundary - GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:25 left – MELB 12.5 (77) | WCE 24.11 (155) Colin Sylvia finds Rohan Bail at half forward. Then he kicks long to the forward line - CLARK! Good contested grab. Keep in mind, Round 1, he looked like he was in serious strife with a knee injury... yet came back a quarter later! Comes in and kicks his 3rd GOAL of the game!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:34 left – MELB 11.5 (71) | WCE 24.11 (155) Rushed behind for the Eagles. Then quickly back into the forward 50 as Luke Shuey spots up Mark LeCras again. Same distance than the last goal, but a slightly better angle. From 48m out - GOAL number 3!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:00 left – MELB 11.5 (71) | WCE 23.11 (149) Good mark at half forward from Mark LeCras. Will have a shot on goal from 45m out. Kicks... a GOAL! 16 disposals, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50's and 2 goals in his comeback game
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:04 left – MELB 11.5 (71) | WCE 22.11 (143) Free kick for an errant kick for the Demons. Nathan Jones has it at half forward... kicks on goal, but he too misses. Some tired legs out there in the final quarter
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:45 left – MELB 11.4 (70) | WCE 22.11 (143) Mitch Clark does a little bit of Jeremy Howe-work to win the high-bouncing ball - knocked it down to his team mate in Neville Jetta. Kicks from 35m out, but misses the mark.