West Coast have overcome the early loss of star midfielder Luke Shuey to post a 42-point win over Port Adelaide in their AFL clash at Optus Stadium.
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Shuey injured his right hamstring just two minutes into the match but the Eagles were still able to power their way to the 16.6 (102) to 9.6 (60) victory in front of 50,516 fans on Saturday.
The game was all but over by the 20-minute mark of the third quarter, when West Coast led by 55 points.
Port launched a spirited fightback to reduce the margin to 25 points early in the final quarter but goals to Mark Hutchings and Jack Petruccelle officially ended the contest.
Eagles forward Jack Darling starred with three goals and six contested marks, while Jack Redden (32 disposals, eight clearances) and Willie Rioli (16 possessions, two goals) helped cover the loss of Shuey in the midfield.
The win improved West Coast’s record to 6-1 but they face a tough schedule over the next three weeks when they take on GWS (away), Richmond (home) and Hawthorn (away).
Port Adelaide were touted premiership fancies at the start of the year following their aggressive recruitment spree but three losses from their past four games has left the Power (4-3) on shaky ground.
Apart from a brief fightback in the third quarter when they kicked four unanswered goals, Port lacked any true bite or fight against the Eagles.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley would have been left fuming by his team’s lack of hardness, with West Coast winning the contested possession battle 162-120.
Shuey’s early exit on Saturday saw Eagles coach Adam Simpson hand goalsneak Rioli some significant midfield stints.
Rioli stood up to the task, tallying some important possessions and setting up several attacking forays.
The 22-year-old kicked a good crumbing goal late in the second quarter.
And just minutes later he dived on a loose ball and fired a quick handball to Jack Petruccelle, who kicked truly to give West Coast a commanding 37-point lead at half-time.
The stats didn’t make for pretty reading for Port Adelaide at halftime.
West Coast won the inside 50m count 29-18, clearances 26-15, contested possessions 87-55, and hitouts 30-14.
Rioli’s long-range goal extended the margin to 55 points in the third quarter.
And although Port Adelaide were able to launch a brief fightback after that, it was far too little to breach the gap.
I ate pies
Guest
We don’t have the best player or any stars but our midfield is as good as anyone’s...what?
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Port were very disappointing, turned the ball over far to many times, they came in with a game plan that appeared to be very reactive, they've gone all out speed after Geelong made them play slow, but there needs to be balance. Having said that, Ken can't kick the ball for them and turnovers continue to kill us along with inaccuracy in front of goal, we also have some senior plays in terrible form. Pittard should never play for Port ever again, I've had enough of his poor decision making, cost us two goals in the first quarter when port had absorbed a lot of pressure and were starting to get on top, poor turnover, WC goal, momentum lost. West coast are a pretty good team, I wasn't as pessimistic about them as others were at the start of the season, their first 22 is a powerful unit and they've got a few good young players stepping up in Petrucelle, Venebales and Rioli, they'll go deep into september by the looks of it......Port are looking like a middle rung team and will be scrapping for the bottom of the eight if they don't turn this form slump around quickly. It could be worse, I could be a Swannies supporter, what the?
User
Roar Rookie
Hopefully both teams don't drop a game leading in so a true top of the table clash happens. I think WA footy needs a positive story atm.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Pleasantly surprised by the Eagles. Playing good footy. Good to see Jack Redden back in form, great player at his best. Like JJ above, look forward to the round 9 clash, it will provide both questions and answers.
Jungle Jim
Guest
it's good to see a few players silencing the knockers, eg-masten, redden, darling, lecras, duggan. such a team effort now, all on the same page. still weeks before ryan+venables in, but club has the depth to cover it seems, no stars but quality nontheless. hutchings plays as required, horses for courses, a go-to player, he's not a given every week, he knows that. (a thing called pace) but he does his job well when required. I guess there'll always be injuries particularly the way eagles are playing, but if they get their 'real' team back for the big games or late season, will be very hard to stop. Richmond is the contest most interests me, even if Eagles missing some best players and it's a loss, just to see how they play and match up, if it's a close game...for the business end of the season.
Lroy
Guest
Well, if he hadn't of been sidelined by some other names he would have produced this form a long time ago methinks. WCE midfield is now as good as anyone's IMO. We don't have any stars like Dustin Martin, or those guys at GWS but have a bunch of very good players nonetheless. Great to see Hutchings getting amongst it, chasing , tackling, forcing turnovers....that's why he should be one of the first guys picked IMO.. you need a couple of guys willing to get down and dirty if you want to win a flag. Shuey gets 3 weeks off going into the bye, meaning he should be fresh for the second half of the year. Got a few other guys to come back as well Ryan, Venables... plenty of headaches for Simpson but as distinct from previous seasons, ones he wont mind having ;-)
User
Roar Rookie
Great win. Chugging along nicely atm. Great to see Darling silencing the critics this year, waterman, rioli, Nelson, barras, duggan, Cole, petrucelle all showing something. Things are looking good with Ryan, Venables, jetta, sheed and shuey to be welcomed back as season progresses. Ah chee building form aswell as ainsworth.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
There's not a lot of Rioli but he's starting to show his class Redden was BoG and don't let Naitanui tackle you