The chances of making the finals are running out for the West Coast Eagles as they cross the nullabor to face a Western Bulldogs line-up ready to knock them out for good. Live scores and commentary kicks off from 3.20pm AEST.
West Coast need to have a close to flawless finish to the season if they are to make the finals, but haven’t been able to put together a full four quarter performance against top opposition in the last two rounds.
While the Western Bulldogs hopes for the finals dwindled weeks ago, they have shown some glimpses of promise throughout the season.
Last week showed that they can take it up to some of the top teams as well with a credible performance against the Hawks in Launceston.
Ryan Griffen and Adam Cooney showed their class last week with 70 possessions between them, while they were ably helped out by and ever improving Tom Liberatore and Bob Murphy in defence.
The forward structure probably still gives Dogs fans nightmares as it doesn’t usually gel too often.
Jarrad Grant had 5 chances on goal, yet only capitalised on one, while Liam Jones converted just one of his three.
But if Will Minson can pick off the Dean Cox in the ruck contests, the Dogs could give a fair old yelp today.
West Coast’s task to take the four points away from Melbourne has been made all the more difficult with a star-studded line up of outs for this week.
Cop an eyeful of these names: Darren Glass, Adam Selwood, Nic Naitanui, Mark LeCras and Luke Shuey.
That’s added to Daniel Kerr, Mark Nicoski, Beau Waters and Shannon Hurn.
You could easily make a case for eight of those nine for being in their best 22, so the Eagles today looks more like a reserves side than a side that were tipped for the title this season.
The last two weeks have been the litmus test for the Eagles, and while they did lose both games, there were spells in both games that suggested they’ve been close.
But close isn’t good enough, especially when a top eight spot is on the line.
Jack Darling’s performance in the Western Derby two weeks ago was a standout with 5 goals and 6 marks, while he carved it up in the last match against the Dogs in Round 6 with a similar effort.
He could be the key for the Eagles today, while his partner in crime Josh Kennedy will be looking to put some space between himself and Jarryd Roughead atop the Coleman Medal standings.
But for mine, it’s the quality of players on the sideline that make this such a danger game for the West Coast Eagles.
This is a prime candidate for ‘upset of the round’ if the Bulldogs get up, but for some reason, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest.
GotHimYeah !
Guest
I think the Eagles have gotta make a play for Paul Roos as Coach. He is no doubt the best Coach of the last 30 years taking the Swans to multiple GF's and Premiership. All this with an average list (only 1 superstar in the Team - Goodes). The Swans players talk about him like he is the Messiah... With his winning 'Bloods' culture and player accountability !! Exactly what the Eagles need right now !! In saying all this... We should erect a 10 metre tall Bronze statue of Woosh on top of Subi Hotel... For everything he has done for the Club ! LEGEND ! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
JR Salazar
Guest
Stick a fork in these West Coast Turkeys, they are done.
Lroy
Guest
Mate.. didnt see the game.. (thank god).. this has to be the death knell of any future coaching aspirations Woosha had.. its all over now.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111) def. West Coast Eagles 13.11 (89) Quarter by Quarter Western Bulldogs 3.3 7.7 12.10 16.15 (111) West Coast Eagles 4.4 7.6 10.8 13.11 (89) Goalscorers WB (8) – Luke Dahlhaus 4, Tory Dickson 3, Jarrad Grant 3, Dylan Addison 2, Daniel Giansiracusa 1, Matthew Boyd 1, Adam Cooney 1, Robert Murphy 1 WCE (6) – Josh Kennedy 3, Josh Hill 3, Sharrod Wellingham 2, Jamie Cripps 2, Jack Darling 2, Bradd Dalziell 1 Team Stats Disposals: WB 430-370; Disposal Efficiency: WB 77%-74%; Kicking Efficiency: WCE 69%-65%; Contested Possessions: WB 143-127; Uncontested Possessions: WB 283-239; Marks: WCE 105-88; Clearances: WB 37-34; Tackles: WB 63-61; Inside 50’s: WB 56-55; Hitouts: WCE 37-29 Player Stats Andrew Gaff (WCE) 31 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 6 marks, 9 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist Ryan Griffen (WB) 30 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 5 marks, 7 clearances, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50’s Adam Cooney (WB) 30 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 4 marks, 5 clearances, 3 rebound 50’s, 3 inside 50’s, 1 goal
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Ow.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111) def. West Coast Eagles 13.11 (89) The Bulldogs were frenetic at the footy from around the 10 minute mark of Q2. Luke Dahlhaus got run down by Josh Kennedy. It surprised everyone. But instead of sparking the Eagles, the incident revved up the Dogs to get fired up. And from there, they brought they're best footy. Yep, the Eagles had a mass of outs, and got hurt by Chris Masten's injury late in Q2. But the Bulldogs were outstanding this afternoon, deserve their win. The Western Bulldogs win by 22 points.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111) def. West Coast Eagles 13.11 (89) Long kick inside 50 to Koby Stevens - the ex-WCE player... he'll have the last kick of the game. SIREN!!! Kicks from 30m out - behind only... but it matters not. The Bulldogs win by 22pts... and the Eagles are out of the finals race for good now!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:31 left | WB 16.14 (110) | WCE 13.11 (89) Cooney from the wing, handballs off to Jack Macrae. Long ball inside 50... 1-on-1 with Dylan Addison outmuscling Sam Butler... snaps - GOAL!! GAME OVER!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:55 left | WB 15.14 (104) | WCE 13.11 (89) Ball up at the wing... Ash Smith explodes from the pack... takes a couple of bounces... gets to 50m. Kicks a shocker to the pocket... at least it finds the boundary. Ball in, Dogs clear to half back. Dalziell centres to Butler. Long to the half forward line... Murphy spoils to the boundary
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:00 left | WB 15.14 (104) | WCE 13.11 (89) Dylan Addison with a quick kick on goal - it's just a behind. Can WCE get it down the other end? They're still beating! Long ball to half forward. Wellingham... umm, did something... not sure what. Off the side of the boot! All I know is he coughed it up... and the Dogs have it back... as Butler's run out of bounds at the wing
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:16 left | WB 15.13 (103) | WCE 13.11 (89) Talia kicks out of defence... only as far as Schofield. Long ball to the pocket towards Darling... has to beat 2... DOES BEAT 2! Rounds around, snaps and GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:46 left | WB 15.13 (103) | WCE 12.11 (83) Matt Priddis out of the middle to Hams... a little wide for him... Uses Andrew Gaff... possession 30 is a long kick towards to the goals... OOOOO... close! Behind only.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:17 left | WB 15.13 (103) | WCE 12.10 (82) Will Schofield with a long kick to half forward to Matt Priddis. Releases Bradd Dalziell... runs to about 40m out... long, long... GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:30 left | WB 15.13 (103) | WCE 11.10 (76) Sam Butler has a long kick on goal for the Eagles... marked on the goal line by Tom Liberatore! That could have been the last real fling... Oh, maybe not. Jones gives up a free kick on the 50m arc. Ball eventually gets to the forward pocket - ball in... Cooney tries to clear... out to half back... the Dogs DO clear as Jason Tutt marks on the wing. I reckon the Eagles dash is done now.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:59 left | WB 15.13 (103) | WCE 11.10 (76) Cale Morton at half forward... chips short to Blayne Wilson. Then a long probing kick to the pocket - WELLINGHAM!!! Takes a belter of a mark from the back of the pack. Handballs off to Hill... runs in to kick the GOAL!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:04 left | WB 15.13 (103) | WCE 10.10 (70) Adam Carter from half back tried to centre to Ash Smith... but a spoil comes through... Jason Tutt the man to do that! Great effort. Then kicks inside 50 to Dickson... could kick his 4th... misses from 40m out.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:45 left | WB 15.12 (102) | WCE 10.10 (70) Murphy clears out of defence... only as far as Gaff... then Wilson goes to Hams at half forward. Then a good lead for Jack Darling to mark 45m out. His kick on goal is just a behind though.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:57 left | WB 15.12 (102) | WCE 10.9 (69) Mitch Wallis finds a handball out to Luke Dahlhaus... then he kicks long... A team mate all by himself - it's Jarrad Grant! Marks, turns around and GOAL!!! Oh this one's just about in the book!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 17:24 left | WB 14.11 (95) | WCE 10.9 (69) Liam Jones wins a free kick at the wing. Kicks it to half forward... Tutt dropped a tough one against 2 opponents... Griffen kicks to the pocket... no one marks.. ball comes free to Tory Dickson - GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 18:15 left | WB 13.11 (89) | WCE 10.9 (69) Long ball inside the forward 50 for the Eagles - Jamie Cripps takes the mark! Did well to get rid of Bob Murphy. Monster kick... 40m out - POST!