After a pre-season where they were universally written off as the team most likely to fall from the eight, after seven rounds of this season West Coast have emerged as the real deal, and most likely challenger to Richmond.
This year, what’s proving more important than individual talent or even the system of each team is the cohesion which with the selected 22 operate on any given day, and the consistency of performance week to week.
Right now, the Eagles have that cohesion. It’s clear the Tigers do. North are playing with it. Hawthorn are for the most part, just as they did in their premiership years under Alastair Clarkson.
We know West Coast has weapons at either end of the ground, as they have done for years.
Josh Kennedy isn’t getting a lot of the ball but is hitting the scoreboard as he works his way into the season. He’s only taken 11 marks in his four games, with only one of them contested, and those numbers will rise as his fitness increases and his timing gets better.
Jack Darling has picked up the slack as he finds career-best form in his eighth season, on track to completely demolish a series of personal bests and potentially claim his first All Australian gong. There might only be one more confident footballer than Darling in the competition right now, and his first name is Nat.
Mark LeCras has wound back the clock off the back of focus on his pressure game. He’s top five for tackles at West Coast, along with Jamie Cripps. Jake Waterman looks a find at a great size, Willie Rioli is doing the family name proud in his early days, and Liam ‘Flyin’ Ryan could be anything.
Down back, Jeremy McGovern is doing his intercept mark thing as he always does, while Shannon Hurn is also winning the ball back from the opposition and then controlling matches with that lethal right boot.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Brad Sheppard is playing good footy, as is Tom Barrass on the last line, while Elliot Yeo helps out when required.
The job of the defence is being made easier by the Eagles midfield not just winning the ball, but pressuring when they don’t have it.
Poor sides or those down on confidence always make the mistake of collapsing on the ball carrier, too many players targeting them, and not coordinating their attack. It comes from individuals trying to impress, but it leads to a team losing their defensive structure.
West Coast’s pressure between the arcs has been reminiscent of Richmond. The Eagles move in unison, with the right player going at the right time, and others in the vicinity closing off the exits of the ball carrier.
Football is always about what happens next when the ball is in hand, and right now West Coast are predicting their opposition’s movement, clamping them, and not giving them an outlet. If they do happen to get the ball forward under all that pressure, it’s easy to read for McGovern and co.
In terms of offensive ball movement, Andrew Gaff has been key. He’s a player that has often divided critics, with his prolific ball gathering unquestioned, but his impact on games is the question mark. This year, he has become more dangerous than ever before, and his team is the beneficiary.
Jack Redden has lifted in the last two weeks, a timely run of form given Luke Shuey was out early against Port and will miss some football. Dom Sheed has become more inside after the retirement of Matt Priddis, while Chris Masten is back in favour. Mark Hutchings had a monster game against Port and gets a chance to cement his spot.
Football is a team sport, and the best sides become more than the sum of their individual parts through a combination of belief, confidence and selflessness. It was certainly the case for the Western Bulldogs in 2016 and Richmond in 2017. The 2018 Eagles are shaping up the same way.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Interesting to see that Bayok is an emergency this weekend for the GWS game. He has been taring it up at EP and looks like he is not far away from an AFL debut. Has got a lot of speed this kid.
Mr X
Guest
Eagles look good I think but they haven't really beaten many top sides but not has richmond
User
Roar Rookie
That doesn't win game's so I don't know why its your pet subject.
Kurt
Guest
Yeah, and just look at how Richmond and Collingwood have dominated the competition over the past 2 decades. What a massive advantage.
anon
Roar Pro
I remember picking West Coast to beat Western in round 2 and that's despite the fact West Coast go to water in Melbourne.
User
Roar Rookie
I believe the execution, contested ball numbers and fact it was without shuey, sheed, jetta etc that makes the win a great reflection of WC, same as considering injuries if Adelaide win the showdown the articles next week will be rightfully so about Adelaide
I ate pies
Guest
The truth doesn't lie Matt, West Coast have massive favouritism at home, regardless of how well their team is doing and who is playing in that team.
Sammy
Guest
Remember though (and not wanting to jinx the crows this weekend in the showdown) that port had beaten something like 1 top 8 team in the last year and a half. So while the win was good as wce were a man down, port are no richmond to place form on. Win this week and it will be much more meritorious
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Good bet, Scott. Never mind iap, he's a miserable old? bloke.
Birdman
Guest
very true
JamesH
Roar Guru
Beyond hating Essendon he doesn't seem to contribute much.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Beyond hating Essendon he doesn't seem to contribute much.
Matto
Guest
+1 to greater disadvantage and greater advantage. Greater long term disadvantage to players, shown by the number of 300 gamers.
JamesH
Roar Guru
It will also be the case if Hawthorn or Richmond win the flag, too.
User
Roar Rookie
Away vs the strongest line up gws has fielded this season, was that a surprising outcome to you? For those like me who exist in the other 99% it wasn't that mind blowing.
1der
Guest
Richmond and to a lesser extent Collingwood have very favourable draws when looking at home ground advantages. The Tigers play 14 games at their home ground MCG with three out of the last 4 this year at G with a trip to the Gold Coast three out from the finals. Must be a big advantage in playing 14 games at the one ground when compared to the other Victorian clubs. Carlton and Essendon play 8 games at their home ground Docklands.
Birdman
Guest
talking of Hawthorn, if the Weagles win this year's flag Clarko's reputation not just as a master coach but as one that can develop his assistants into flag winners in their own right will be off the charts. Arguably will have had a hand in the last 6 flags straight! That would be something.
Ryan Geer
Roar Pro
Defenitley defying expectations Gaff, Masten and Shuey are all in fine form. Redden is finally getting comfortable in an Eagles guernsey and youngsters Duggan, Waterman, Nelson and Rioli are really playing important roles. Darling is in career best form kicking 18 goals in the first 7 games, himself, LeCras and Kennedy are all in the top 20 in the Coleman race. Getting Nic Nat back is another major boost, not just what he can do on the field just his presence has a major effect. They’ve already turned Optus Stadium into a fortress for them winning 4/5 and that one loss they really tested the Swans. The next few weeks will be the real test with GWS, Richmond, Hawthorn, Sydney and Adelaide in the next seven weeks with 4/5 of those games away from Perth. If they win most of them I’ll really start believing. But they’ve already surprised me so far.
anon
Roar Pro
Western lost by 80 points in round 1.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
A small correction. The way that Richmond play between the arc is reminiscent of the Eagles Hurn is at career-best levels for disposals, leads the comp for effective kicks,which as we know aren't scrubby twenty metre efforts like half the rest and has more marks than anyone else. He and McGovern,who's taken more D50 contested marks than anyone else,get the ball because the opposition have so much directional pressure applied to them that their forward kicks are either misdirected shanks,hopeful and short or high lollipops. Jack Darling leads F50 contested marks,with a player high this season of six last game Jamie Cripps leads tackles in F50. Petrucelle just might be the fastest man in the AFL The Eagles have two rucks,who between them had 12 clearances ,22 contested possessions and seven tackles against Port Gaff is going at career- best figures in a whole bunch of ways. The Eagles are best or next-best in transition scoring,scoring from intercepts, contested possession differential and scoring overall.That's what they do well and that should be enough for at least another nine wins They're good enough at what they do to beat anyone.GWS are vulnerable,Richmond don't like travel,the Hawks (R10)could be the acid test,then Swans(R13) and Adelaide (R15).Pick up two or three of those and the Pies,Roos and Melbourne won't daunt them at all It'll be interesting to see how well the Tigers cope with the Roos' stingy defense,then the Eagles' cut and thrust in successive weeks