West Coast forward Josh Kennedy booted six goals as the Eagles rebounded from a week of scathing criticism to post a 41-point thumping of Fremantle in Saturday night’s western AFL derby at Domain Stadium.
The Eagles were labelled mummy’s boys who lacked a ruthless edge in the wake of last week’s 50-point loss to Hawthorn at the MCG.
But West Coast regained their mojo against the Dockers, with Kennedy awarded the Ross Glendinning medal in the 16.7 (103) to 9.8 (62) win in front of 40,836 fans.
West Coast had the game virtually sewn up by halftime after racing to a 45-point lead.
Compounding his side’s misery, Dockers skipper Nathan Fyfe faces a nervous wait after catching Elliot Yeo with a stray elbow early in the final quarter.
Fyfe was facing the opposite direction and trying to shake free of Yeo when he caught the Eagle with his right elbow.
Yeo stayed down after the hit before slowly regaining his composure.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon claimed he didn’t see the incident himself, and he wasn’t overly worried about it.
“All I know is Nathan is a ball player who cops a lot of attention,” Lyon said.
“Sometimes players stay down to milk free kicks.”
Fremantle veteran Aaron Sandilands dominated the ruck taps, but it wasn’t equating to a win in the clearance battle as West Coast’s midfield took control.
Jeremy McGovern was almost impassable in the opening half. The Eagles defender took nine marks – seven of them intercepts – to foil Fremantle’s forward thrusts time and again.
Yeo (32 disposals, 14 marks) was also crucial in defence throughout the match, while Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey, Sam Mitchell and Andrew Gaff racked up big numbers in the midfield.
“It was a good response after a disappointing week,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.
“We thought Fremantle was a difficult challenge; they’d won three in a row.
“They were up and about. To start the way we did was really pleasing.
“That we lowered our colours in the second half, it was a pretty equal second half. But it probably leaves us with more questions than answers of where we are at at the moment.”
West Coast’s fourth successive derby win helps entrench them in the league’s top eight with a 4-2 record, while Fremantle are 3-3.
A mini scuffle broke out after Eagles youngster Liam Duggan booted the second goal of the match, but that was about as much fight as Fremantle showed in the opening half.
West Coast scored from nine of their 11 entries into forward 50 the opening quarter as Hill, Kennedy and Darling booted two goals apiece to give the Eagles a commanding 36-point lead.
Even debutant Kurt Mutimer provided some flair when he sold a dummy to Brownlow medallist Fyfe with his first possession in the AFL ranks.
Eagles ruckman Nathan Vardy suffered an injury scare when he hyper-extended his right elbow in a marking contest with Fyfe.
But the former Cat was able to return to the field after having his elbow strapped.
Dockerdan73
Guest
13TH MAN . you are correct about being a bit short. I believe we should have bought a second ruckman in and and have them rotating out of the forward line, maybe McGovern wouldn't have had an easy game like he did and make him accountable for when we were just bombing the ball in .
Jon boy
Guest
Great tactic kick it long and high MacGovern cant mark Yeo what a joke should get a week for a dive sook Should not have been hangiing on
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
I thought Taberner myself, if only so Johnno could stay back full time.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
Bloody intercept marks killed us. Given the eagles forwards were running around freely anyway, we should've sent Hamling forward to play a close-checking role on McGovern!
Don Freo
Guest
Yes...he needs to improve but he is only 23yo. Perhaps Crozier goes back and Tabs brings some height up forward and releases Johnno as second ruck. Johnno then replaces Ibbo and Collins takes Johnnos key position.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I've been as open minded about Sutcliffe (and Sheridan) as you could be I reckon, and Sutcliffe looked a great bargain at the end of 2013 and most of 2014, but he has been on a steady decline since. He's gone well into the red as far as chances go and really has never shown as much as Ibbotson (who is running on a wafer thin credit bank himself) or even Sheridan.
Jumping Jack Cash
Guest
Re mummys boys and flat track bullies (and any other throwaway useless media captions).. the Hawks beat Eagles at home, but lost to the Saints but the Saints lost to the Eagles away, who beat Fremantle, who beat North Melbourne at home, who beat the Gold Coast at home, who beat the Hawks at home, does that mean they're all 'flat track bullies'? it seems anyone can beat anyone away, or at home, on any given day..not much has changed and its too early in the season for hyerbole!...but perhaps the Eagles need to play in their navy blue strip away? - they always seem to play like a mean machine in the navy blue-colour psychology? I also find Simmo's coaching too one dimensional, sticking with the same old-same old. was refreshing to see Kurt-Murt or K-Murt in there. But with the Gov and Barrass and Yeo he has options to swing these guys around as required. Given Mitchell is a cherry on the pie for 1 year, I'd like to see Priddis (the stat-racker and helicopter pilot) and Masten gone-and replaced with a couple of line breaking mids like Shuey...maybe i'm being too harsh, if not flashy and fast at least theyre consistent cogs in the machine? but meanwhile Redden and Jetta's still need to stand up week in-week out. Duggan needs more game time to prove himself. Wanting to see how Murtimer, Rioli, Watson and Venables turn out...the next wave. The dwindling ruck stocks are a concern, otherwise expect Eagles to be in the top 6 come finals...and MAYBE they'll finally play the G like they own it, or believe they own it!????????
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
Yeh he was fantastic! He was often in and out of our side but whenever he came in he really battled hard and did his job.
13th man
Guest
Yeah agree. Collins must play. As a side note who saw Silvagni against the Swans yesterday. Absolutely brilliant on Buddy. Couldn't help but think we could've used him on JK last night but no we delisted him and kept the spud of all spuds Dawson.... quality list management lads!
13th man
Guest
Yes I'm not gonna say it decided the result as frankly we were carp in the first half.. although the umpiring virtually killed off any hope of Freo getting back into the game. The McCarthy non decision was a disgrace as was the 50m penalty. What annoys me is inconsistency... West Coast got a lot of soft free kicks in there forward 50 whilst Freo got bugger all. They were marginal at best.. I don't mind them paying them as long as it's the same for both teams. Even Dermie commented on the umpiring last night. It was pretty bad. A few shining lights for Freo.. its not all bad. Balic looks like a player, McCarthy was excellent as was Weller and Blakely, our youngsrers lead the charge last night and it was good to see. Hoping Nat Fyfe should get off.... Yeo was fine... maybe just a fine. I do wonder whether Freo went in a bit undersized? It worked against Melbourne and North who had smaller forward lines and backlines but West Coast probably outsized Freo. Perhaps Collins or Tabermer may have been a better pick. West Coast look far better with McGovrrn down back. That was the best West Coast have played this season and they beat up another average middle of the road young side at home. When they win against a good team away from Fortress Subiaco I'll take notice.. until then there pretenders for mine.
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
Yes I'd like to see Collins back in the side too. I really rate him highly.
Don Freo
Guest
Agree that Hambling is not a shut down defender. He should be intercept marking with his pace at CHB. Sam Collins must play at full back. Another 26 disposals with 13 marks and 4 tackles against the WC seconds at East Perth. He has been in the best at Peel every game this season. Sutcliffe is better than Sheridan and Ibbotson (who might be finished). I did like Logue's defensive work on Kennedy when Ross moved him for the last quarter.
Don Freo
Guest
That non-penalty set the game. Not only did McCarthy not get the free 15 metres out, it went straight down to Kennedy for a goal. A 12 point turnaround. Even before clubs put in requests for fixtures each season, WC puts in a request for Dean Margetts to umpire each home game. He ch...well...let's just say he enjoys the Eagles.
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
Another one I remember was a hold on one of our players in a 1 on 1...might have been McCarthy again in the 2nd quarter?
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
Also - my uncle who is an eagles supporter texted me in the 2nd quarter saying "I think the umps like us tonight." Aha.
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
Yeh there was a couple of them through the night which looked 50/50 but I thought perhaps the Eagles got the call their way each time. I'd have to look at some of the replays again but I know at the time I thought we were unlucky. Maybe I had my purple tinted glasses on...
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
Haha yes I'll be FF! I think it'll be good for them just to settle down and get back to work a bit. It'll help their development.
Aaron
Guest
Umpiring was diabolical, as it usually is for Western Derbies, but it doesn't take away that WC blew us off the park in the first quarter. Hamling was trounced by Kennedy--he's clearly not the solution in dealing with key forwards. Ibbotson, Spurr, Sheridan were turnover merchants--even in those 3 wins. Should be next on the delist/trade to gold coast pile.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Largely agree with all of that, FreoFan (is FF a good abbreviation haha?). The result was certainly sealed by quarter time, which was disappointing, but then again allowed us to see how this young team reacted to a large deficit! I think we definitely did improve, which was great, but obviously we were never a chance of reeling in West Coast! You've got an interesting thought when you say that some players 'needed' that loss. Eh, it's probably true on some level, I just wish the footy god's didn't pick the derby to prove that point haha... Perhaps some of our younger players were a bit over-awed at playing at 'home' but with the massive crowd suddenly primarily against them...?
Rissole
Guest
Yup, once I saw that not penalised I though "here we go again".