The red-hot West Coast Eagles have remained unbeaten on their AFL travels with a 25-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.
The Eagles kicked five straight goals in the second quarter to take control of a game they won 12.14 (86) to 8.13 (61).
It was a seventh straight victory for West Coast, who moved to the top of the table above Richmond, who they host next week, and improved their record to 7-1 and 3-0 outside Western Australia.
Missing Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey and Jeremy McGovern, the Eagles underlined their depth with a strong performance against a Giants side that lost Phil Davis and Matt de Boer during the game.
The Eagles had the most potent forward at Spotless Stadium in Jack Darling, who kicked four goals, all in the first half.
West Coast led by 14 early on, but GWS kicked four straight goals either side of quarter-time to lead by ten.
The Eagles reasserted themselves, with Darling kicking three of five straight goals for the visitors, as they regained the lead before halftime and never relinquished their advantage.
The Giants kicking efficiency, which was atrocious in their heavy loss to Geelong last week, was poor again.
On the odd occasion when did get a flow on and moved the ball quickly, they kicked some fine goals, but the Eagles pressure remained good throughout the contest.
Adversity increased for GWS as the game developed and at one stage in the third quarter they had just one player on the bench.
GWS lost de Boer at halftime with a hamstring injury.
In the third quarter, Phil Davis left the contest after he was accidentally elbowed by Darling in an aerial contest and Lachie Whitfield went off with what appeared to be a shin problem, but returned later in the term.
The Eagles had plenty of good performers with Tom Barrass, Will Schofield and Brad Sheppard strong down back.
Jack Redden gathered 13 clearances and Andrew Gaff and Elliot Yeo also got plenty of the ball.
In his 200th game, GWS co-captain Callan Ward collected 30 touches along with Whitfield, while Aidan Corr kept Josh Kennedy to two goals and seven touches.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
There's also Eric McKenzie to consider down back when his toe heals,Vardy as back -up /substitute for Lycett or Naitanui if there's a niggle or a lesser opponent. Venables and Ryan will miss at least 8 weeks.Petrucelle and Jetta maybe this week Brayshaw to debut .Mutimer,Rotham,Partington are doing well
Lroy
Guest
Mastos clangers have always been his achilles heel unfortunately. Priddis I think played a year too long, but its water under the bridge now. The side looks very well balanced and a couple of them, particularly Jetta are going to find it hard to force their way back in methinks.
Lroy
Guest
Dom Sheed is the quiet accumulator, they usually go pretty well when he gets plenty of ball, he uses it beautifully.
Lroy
Guest
Schofield must be very unlucky. He was virtual all Australian a couple of years ago, now he struggles to get a game. Everytime he plays he gives a great contest. Hope he can keep playing well and hold his spot.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Barrass took over McGovern's role,Schofield,another maligned player,took over Barrass's role,what's not to like ? Ah Chee and Ainsworth need a little polish. Duggan and Rioli must have practising the hip and shoulder. Yeo and Redden have left the stodge of Priddis and Mitchell behind. Next week,we shall see.
Graeme
Guest
Don I can understand you defending Darling at the time but Masten would have been bloody hard to defend? Masten is playing good footy now and well done for defending both players. After seeing Ainsworth's debut, RIoli's current form and defensive efforts, Ryan and Venables until their injuries plus Shuey to come back that Jetta, Masten, Hutchings, Ah Chee and LeCras will need to play for their footy lives to retain their spots. Jetta in particular might have trouble breaking back into the team despite his pace. He would do well watching replays of Willie Rioli to realise what applying pressure is all about. At the moment all of the team currently playing deserve their spots.
Graeme
Guest
Well picked Don!
Graeme
Guest
WCE are huge improvers but I am not daring to dream Jungle Jim. Richmond are in a different league and clearly the best side at the moment and Hawthorn are a sneaky danger because they also play the MCG beautifully. Both these sides could also have the VIC centric and unfair home ground advantage of a guaranteed MCG GF. In a national competition this makes sense only to Victorians and to secure it for the next 40 years is a disgrace. The term "INTERSTATE SIDE" should not exist in a national competition but shows the mindset of Eddie and his mates. I am also worried one of the bottom Vic Clubs will sack their coach mid season and snaffle Sam Mitchell who is having a massive influence on the Eagles.
Don Freo
Guest
It wasn't just 'many missing'. It was their best 3 players, McGovern, Shuey and NicNat...well Kennedy is probably their best but that's 3 pretty key players...plus Sheed and Ryan. They are only going to be stronger.
Graeme
Guest
Yes Ed you have missed my point entirely. Robert Walls and many others predicted WCE to get the wooden spoon. Each time the Eagles have won this season there have been reasons given why they didn't deserve to win so I just rattled them off to save everyone the time. Kudos to Richmond who are clearly the top side as opposed the still developing Eagles who are big improvers but certainly not in Richmond's zone..
Jungle Jim
Guest
and you can only play the team in front of you on the day, a worn cliche but true, Eagles had many missing also, importantly another away win. Tigers loom large as a great game and a decider in some ways. I'm tipping Eagles at home with a near full squad..
Jungle Jim
Guest
there's a long list of eagles players that the knockers have wanted gone, most of them still playing in this team. many eagles fans, on footy blogs at least, are quite brutal and abusive towards the players. If you criticise them then you're accused of being a Facebook Fanboi, there's no in between. Yet they abuse the players and coach when losing or creating a turnover, but jump on the bandwagon when winning. i guess every team has them. But Priddis was one player i thought needed to go, was a good extractor and tackler but lacked speed and kicking efficiency, held the team back in a way. that's certainly been resolved now...and okay Masten can still be frustrating, as yesterday, with his turnovers, but plays an important link-up role..until he is replaced by some-one better?
Jungle Jim
Guest
That's right Graeme, Eagles also have an unfair advantage of being a large club with lots of money and they come from interstate....unfortunately for most, they look like the real deal...dare to dream?
Don Freo
Guest
I have a hunch Graeme might be engaging a degree of parody...of Eagles knockers.
Don Freo
Guest
Yes. There is a reason why these sides are below them.
Don Freo
Guest
Glad to see it. For years, I've been defending Masten to Eagles fans and Darling to eastern staters.
Tom
Roar Rookie
Not sure what’s to think about the Giants. They look out of form. I still think that there is an issue with confidence. A number of times they would be able to switch on the tsunami, now it looks like a puddle. Cogs and Dylan Sheil are continually getting flattened. They just lack their mojo. Eagles are a good team.
Paul Di Scerni
Roar Rookie
Graham they’ve been 2nd on the ladder for the past few weeks. So obviously they’re going to beat teams below them. Think before you speak. Or type in this instance.
Graeme
Guest
I admit it, I wanted Darling and Masten traded last year and am very happy to be so wrong (I also thought Mitchell Johnson was a has been before he absolutely destroyed England a few years ago). Darling is now delivering everything supporters believed he could and would have to be a Brownlow contender now. Masten is delivering everything supporters never thought he could. It speaks volumes for the coaching.
Graeme
Guest
Runner up Ross has never been an Eagles fan that is for sure Matt.