West Coast have held off a valiant Carlton outfit by 17 points to keep their finals hopes alive at Domain Stadium on Saturday night.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
West Coast Eagles 15.10.100
Carlton Blues 12.11.83
Its do or die for the West Coast Eagles as they host the Carlton Blues at Domain Stadium on Saturday evening. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEST).
West Coast’s fate is placed within their hands this Saturday, as they play host to a determined Carlton outfit with nothing to lose.
The Eagles have only themselves to blame after dropping winnable games against Melbourne, Collingwood and St Kilda, the latter of which was the week before.
They sit at the precarious position of ninth, a game outside of the eight due to percentage, and face a tough run home against Adelaide and GWS, the top two ladder leaders.
This means they have no choice but to defeat a defiant Blues team, who have proven themselves as tough competition all year, if the Eagles wish to make finals in September.
Carlton themselves are out of contention for finals action, but have been impressive this year with a young but talented list.
They got so close to knocking off Essendon last week, before some Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti magic broke Carlton hearts.
Brendon Bolton and his men will want to finish the season strong, and showcase their potential for the next AFL season.
The Blues will be bolstered too, as they welcome in Tom Williamson, who replaces the injured Caleb Marchbank.
The Eagles have made three changes after last week’s loss, bringing back Matt Priddis, Lewis Jetta and Nathan Vardy, in place of Chris Masten, Malcolm Karpany and Will Schofield.
Players to Watch
West Coast Eagles: Josh Kennedy
JJK has had a standout season for the Eagles. The big man has booted 54 goals this season, and only sits behind Joe Daniher in the Coleman. In what was a disappointing loss, the Eagles’ shining light was Kennedy, who kicked 5.1 to almost get West Coast over the line. If the Eagles are to win, Kennedy will be their key to doing so.
Carlton: Matt Kreuzer
Big Matty Kreuzer has been elite this year for Carlton. The Blues’ ruckman had a day out last week with 38 hitouts, 15 disposals, 7 tackles and a goal. He is coming up against West Coast’s Drew Petrie and Nat Vardy, who he could have a field day against. The Blues could dominate out of the center, which may lead to an unlikely victory.
Prediction
West Coast by 40 points
With a finals series on the line, the Eagles will have a point to prove in front of their home crowd. They’ve lost too many close games this year, and while the Blues have been determined this year, West Coast should be just too strong, and come out big victors.
Can the Eagles make a break for the finals, with it all on the line? Or will Carlton spoil the party with nothing to lose? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEST).
peter chrisp
Guest
I don't blame you i call that Close To The Edge Yes you got there in the end
J.Roger
Guest
what an exhausting game, frustrating a times as always with eagles..i think i might bill the eagles for a pacemaker? not sure if i can take much more of this!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
END OF THE MATCH West Coast 15.10.100 defeat Carlton 12.11.83 by 17 points. West Coast have kept their finals hopes alive tonight, though it would not have been as comfortable as they would have liked. After dropping so many close ones, the Eagles have pulled off a win from a tight game. They played well throughout, but nearly fell away in the third, before holding strong in the fourth. Josh J Kennedy was fantastic with 6 goals, he now leads the Coleman, and Marc Murphy led the disposal count with 29, as well as booting two goals. Predictive Brownlow: 3 votes- Josh J Kennedy 2 votes- Mitch McGovern 1 vote- Marc Murphy Thanks for joining us tonight, been a blast! Match report will be out soon!
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
McGovern takes an intercept mark with 10 seconds left. What a night for him.
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL EAGLES Out of bounds on the full from the Blues, it comes back in, and Redden grabs it in the chaos and snaps quickly, its a goal!!! Thats game, the Blues have fought so hard, but tonight is not their night West Coast 15.10.100 Carlton 12.11.83 Q4 0.46
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Carlton have a minute left to score two goals, and they are sitting in the Eagles' goal square
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND EAGLES Another shot from the Eagles, and another miss. West Coast 14.10.94 Carlton 12.11.83 Q4 1.44
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND EAGLES KENNEDY!!! Huge kick from Vardy, 70 out and JJK throws himself at this, clean run at it, and he will line up for number seven. He hooks this too far though, as he tries to snap it, and misses West Coast 14.9.93 Carlton 12.11.83 Q4 2.19
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL BLUES Petrovski-Seton, he's going to be a star as well! He gets this out to the wing, where Daisy hits up Casboult! 45 out, tight angle in the right forward pocket, and Casboult has nailed it!! What a kick, what a goal, and the Blues will not stop fighting! West Coast 14.8.92 Carlton 12.11.83 Q4 3.32
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL EAGLES Kennedy! He marks right in front, 45 out. Right out of the centre again, you feel as though this would be the killer. JJK is usually pretty good, and tonight is no different!! He has his 6th, and now is leading the Coleman Medal! West Coast 14.8.92 Carlton 11.11.77 Q4 4.30
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL BLUES Gibbs marks on 50, and centres this to Curnow on the lead, who just marks it! 40 out, bit of an angle, but Charlie is able to slot this through! Blues are still breathing at Domain! West Coast 13.8.86 Carlton 11.11.77 Q4 5.24
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND EAGLES Murphy takes his time as he tries to snap in traffic, but he misses out to the left. West Coast 13.8.86 Carlton 10.11.71 Q4 6.35
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL EAGLES DARLING!!!! Darling snaps this from 30 out, the pass from JJK and the Eagles have two in a minute!!! Massive for the Eagles, huge stuff as they lead by 16 points! West Coast 13.8.86 Carlton 10.10.70 Q4 8.01
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
GOAL EAGLES Partington wins himself a free kick right in front of goal!! He runs down Petrovski Seton to have a set shot, and he kicks it!!! Huge for the Eagles, huge for their season and the Eagles stretch out to a two goal advantage!! West Coast 12.8.80 Carlton 10.10.70 Q4 8.12
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND EAGLES Sheed snaps this into the 50, and Cripps attacks this the most, and takes a great contested mark!! The Eagles forward is 50 out, tight angle, but cannot convert! West Coast 11.8.74 Carlton 10.10.70 Q4 9.17
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
BEHIND EAGLES The Eagles go for it, but they cannot score a major. West Coast 11.7.73 Carlton 10.10.70 Q4 10.10
Macca
Guest
Cuningham would have to come in next week jack
Dylan Carmody
Roar Guru
Adam Simpson is shown in the coaches box, he looks like he's about to pass out. Carlton meanwhile make the switch, it goes deep inside their 50, where Casboult takes a good running mark! He is in the same position as last week, but this time he has kicked it!! Blues are back to within two points!! GOAL BLUES What a game of footy, what a season this is, we have another thriller on our hands here! West Coast 11.6.72 Carlton 10.10.70 Q4 10.55
Jack
Guest
Not many disposals for arm field. Do you think him and smelts might be playing last matches ?