The West Coast Eagles host the Melbourne Demons in the final week of the JLT Community series. Join The Roar from 8:40pm (AEDT) for all the action.
After 12 years as teammates, Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell will line up tonight as opponents. Two undisputed legends of the modern era, four-time premiership winning brothers, finally slogging it out as enemies. What a subplot!
Given their tenacity, they will surely find themselves in each other’s way at some stage, and pre-season game or not, that will be some sort of spectacle.
West Coast are still experimenting with ruck options, given the ongoing absence of Nic Naitanui, with new recruits Nathan Vardy and Drew Petrie both being given the chance to prove their worth up against the best there is – Max Gawn.
The Eagles squad is nearly full-strength, which means plenty of competition for spots between players not quite guaranteed that all-important Round 1 game. This is such a big opportunity for guys like Jack Redden and Lewis Jetta to remind us what they’re capable of.
As for Melbourne, Jack Watts is in, which hopefully ends the most ridiculous, undeserved scandal of the pre-season. They’re still missing Jeff Garlett, Dean Kent and Michael Hibberd, but the squad does look very formidable.
There’s plenty of hype around this team, with many fans believing this is finally the year the finals drought ends. With a list like theirs, it’s a hard point to argue against at the minute.
Jesse Hogan has been in wonderful goalkicking form so far and will be looking to get a few more under his belt, while midfield bull Jack Viney continues his incredible raise to (sometimes psychotic) stardom.
Prediction
Demons by 21.
Follow this match on The Roar from 8:40pm (AEDT) and join in the discussion below!
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
In their final preseaon match, the West Coast Eagles have defeated the Melbourne Demons by 25 points at Domain Stadium. Josh Kennedy was the main force up forward, kicking 5.4 for the home side. The Eagles midfield looks to be in perfect form, with all the big names from the star-studded group amassing disposals at will in the dewy contest. Sam Mitchell led all comers with 39, while Andrew Gaff (35), Chris Masten (34) and Sharrod Wellingham (31) worked relentlessly all night. Jeremy McGovern put in another trademark solid performance in the backline, whilst Eric Mackenzie also competed well and looks to be nearing his best. The ruck situation is going to be a focal point for the Eagles this year without their superstar Nic Naitanui, so an encouraging two-goal showing from ex-Cat Nathan Vardy will certainly get Eagles fans excited. Melbourne were far from terrible in their last hitout, but failed to capitlise on many golden opportunites, with turnovers and poor decision making haunting them throughout the game. One player who stood above the rest was third-year rising star Clayton Oliver who racked up 31 possessions and 7 tackles in a dominant performance in tricky conditions. Jesse Hogan did well with limited opportunities, kicking 2 goals, but it was curly-haired back-up ruckman Jake Spencer who topped the goalkicking for the Demons with 3 majors. Exciting speedster Jayden Hunt also showed plenty of flair, gathering 27 disposals which included the games only supergoal. With no injuries to either team, both camps will be happy with the effort and certainly be looking to now knuckle down and prepare for their huge round one matches.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
EAGLES WIN!! BEHIND WC Mitchell misses the kick, just, making the final margin 25 points. West Coast the better team tonight, but plenty to like about the Demons too. FULL TIME West Coast 14.11.95 Melbourne 1SG. 9.7.70
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Sam Mitchell marks inside 50 as the siren sounds! He'll kick to extend the lead but the game is over.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Couple of minutes to run on the clock now but you'd think the main priority now for both sides is just to get through unscathed. Q4 29' West Coast 14.10.94 Melbourne 1SG. 9.7.70
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL WC JK has nailed it! That's number five now, and with it, game over. Q4 28' West Coast 14.10.94 Melbourne 1SG. 9.7.70
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Another mark inside 50 for Kennedy! Sheed the distributor on this occasion. He'll line up from 45 on a slight angle. Q4 27' West Coast 13.10.88 Melbourne 1SG. 9.7.70
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND WC Kennedy marks on a hard lead from a beautiful pinpoint pass. He goes back with confidence but the kick is pulled - 4.4 tonight for Josh. Q4 25' West Coast 13.10.88 Melbourne 1SG. 9.7.70
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL WC Gee, ugly stuff now as both teams well and truly take their foot off the pedal. Bad Demons turnover leads to a Nathan Vardy goal from the line. Q4 24' West Coast 13.9.87 Melbourne 1SG. 9.7.70
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Eagles managing to hold things up on their halfback line. Plenty of boundary throw-ins. Q4 19' West Coast 12.9.81 Melbourne 1SG. 9.7.70
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND MELBOURNE Awful kick from Hogan. Misses by a mile to the left, lucky to get a behind. Q4 17' West Coast 12.9.81 Melbourne 1SG. 9.7.70
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Hogan marks on a slight angle 35m out! If he gets this it's back to a single kick! Q4 16' West Coast 12.9.81 Melbourne 1SG. 9.6.69
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Tired players all over now. Skills dropping. Q4 14' West Coast 12.9.81 Melbourne 1SG. 9.6.69
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Gawn gives away a silly 50m penalty. Comeback halted. Q4 12' West Coast 12.9.81 Melbourne 1SG. 9.6.69
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
SUPERGOAL MELBOURNE Blind kick out of defence from Sam Mitchell finds Jayden Hunt, who takes off, dashes to 55 and lets loose a monster bomb that sails through for 9! Q4 9′ West Coast 13.9.81 Melbourne 1SG. 9.6.69
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL MELBOURNE Turnover from the Eagles in the middle of the ground and the ball ends up with Jack Viney running towards goal. On his left he slices a lovely goal through from 50. Q4 5′ West Coast 13.9.81 Melbourne 9.6.60
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND MELBOURNE Really nice centering kick from Jack Watts at half forward hits Sam Weideman on a great lead. He's directly in front, 35m out - hooks it. Disappointing. Q4 4′ West Coast 13.9.81 Melbourne 8.6.54
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND WC Already Kennedy has the ball inside 50. Awful snap though from the boundary. Q4 2′ West Coast 13.9.81 Melbourne 8.5.53
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Plenty of wasted opportunities from the visitors tonight and they'll be looking to throw everything they have at the West Coast in this last half hour. Keen to see what happens here. There's every chance the Eagles really put their foots to their throat. Last term has begun! Q4 1′ West Coast 13.8.80 Melbourne 8.5.53
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Three quarter time siren sounds with the West Coast Eagles in front by 27 points! They've been the much cleaner side tonight and are deservedly the leaders. Game's not over yet though. Q3 West Coast 13.8.80 Melbourne 8.5.53
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL MELBOURNE Finally the repeat Melbourne efforts pay off and Christian Salem is rewarded with a free kick inside 50 after Josh Hill throws the ball. Salem pulls the kick just inside the right post and the Demons get one back. Q3 31′ West Coast 13.8.80 Melbourne 8.5.53